The university’s Undergraduate Student Government weighed in on recent university Board of Trustees unrest and proposed potential smoking policies during its Tuesday meeting.

USG unanimously voted in support of removing Roger Herrin from the SIU Board of Trustees because of remarks the trustee was accused of making. According to an article from WJPF, a Herrin talk-radio station, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People accused Herrin of making remarks about wanting to recruit fewer minorities. Herrin has denied the allegations the article stated. USG also examined potential new campus tobacco policies and finance committee matters during the meeting.

Sen. Adrian Miller said the remarks frustrated him.

“I am highly disappointed in the board,” he said. “The board is there to represent the university on a positive basis. These accusations coming out about Roger Herrin, about the remarks he made, are disturbing.”

Campus safety and racial issues are always present, Miller said. The university embraces diversity, he said, and trustees should consider stepping down when they make remarks about racial issues.

Beyond BOT matters, senators examined possible new policies concerning smoking.

Smoke-Free Campus member Kristen Price announced the committee will conduct a campus- wide survey in the coming weeks. According to the agenda, the survey offers five tobacco policies that include smoking allowed in public outdoor space, smoking allowed only

in designated areas, smoking only allowed in parking lots and personal vehicles, a smoke-free campus or a tobacco-free campus. The senators were provided the survey.

USG President Brittany Greathouse said most senators praised the second policy. She said the senate approved the second policy and denied the rest.

“I believe that the senate accurately represents what their constituents would think about this issue,” she said. “I am excited to see how this initiative will affect our campus — ultimately in a very positive way.”

In financial matters, Miller announced total spring allocations to be $6,563.07. This leaves $317.11 to roll into the fall semester. This is possibly the first time money has rolled intothefollowingschoolyear,hesaid.

Finance matters also extended to USG elections. Senators were supposed to vote on a new finance chair, but the senate was unable to hold the election because too few members attended. Finance Chair candidate Kenny Newsome was absent, but Miller said he is still on the finance committee and the position’s two candidates are working well to resolve issues.

During the group’s last meeting, the finance committee and some senators, including Miller, said they felt Newsome acted unprofessionally in the position.

It was brought to senators’ attentions that Newsome was only temporary finance chair, and a new chair should be voted in. Miller was then nominated against Newsome.

“I think everything, honestly, has been resolved from last meeting,” Miller said.