The SGA Senate has passed 183 resolutions since 2009, an increase from past, according to SGA Executive Vice President Nicole Bohannon. Whether or not the increase is good campus politics might come out in the SGA elections on March 8.

The Senate has the power to pass both resolutions and bills.

“Legislation can be for internal needs and checks and balances within the SGA, approve budgetary needs, approve and promote new SGA projects or initiatives, request action from another campus department, or do something more general, like recognize someone or something on campus for outstanding work that provides service to students,” Bohannon said.

Resolutions may inform the student body about the happenings of organizations and campus departments, recognize accomplishments within the student body, or express condolences to the UA community, Bohannon added. Bills, on the other hand, amend SGA policy.

Of the 183 resolutions passed over the two years, 22 honored or congratulated members of the UA community, 11 offered condolences for deaths or unfortunate incidents and 58 called for miscellaneous new programs or initiatives.

Each resolution has the intent of creating a lasting impact in some way, Bohannon said. Some of the resolutions that have passed in the last two years created, namely, the 348-RIDE Express Route, Before Bama Freshman Engagement Program, and Ride with the Tide away game transportation. Other initiatives called for in resolutions, however, are less publicized.

The 348-RIDE Express Route resolution, for example, formally called “A Resolution Recognizing the Creation and Encouraging the use of the 348-RIDE Express Service,” states “the Express will improve the service provided by 348-RIDE to other customers, as well as provide a convenient, easy form of late night, on-campus transportation.”

The resolution also improved waiting times and stopped at all previously existing stops, and shuttled Thursdays through Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.

Lastly, Ride with the Tide, or “A Resolution Approving the Budget for the SGA-Sponsored ‘Ride with the Tide,’” to LSU was passed in 2010. The resolution stated that all students, regardless of having a ticket to the LSU game, had the opportunity to purchase a $45 ticket which included bus transportation to and from the game, if it was a same day trip, admission to an SGA-sponsored tailgate, a meal at the tailgate and televisions to watch the game at the tailgate if students wished to do so.

Resolutions similar to “A Resolution Recognizing the University of Alabama Police Department and UAPD Appreciation Day,” for example, had less direct impact on students.

All legislation is available in the SGA office and the most current legislation can be viewed on the SGA website.