The gavel swung down and a loud crack resounded within the small confines of the SGA meeting room. A resolution stating the SGA’s heartfelt wishes for the return of Michelle Gardner-Quinn had just passed. Between a visit from congressional candidate Peter Welch and a resolution regarding cage-free eggs, the issue of the Senate’s stance regarding Quinn was discussed for more than two hours. A heavy silence in respect to Gardner-Quinn fell about the tables during the first few moments of the meeting. Shortly after, a resolution focused on creating a task force that would improve campus safety was tabled, due to its vagueness. Following this, an emergency resolution committed to the safe return of Gardner-Quinn was brought before the table. It was a resolution meant to outline the specifics of the incident and would be sent as a formal letter of regards to Gardner-Quinn’s family. “This isn’t proper to send to the family,” Senator Sarah Sachett said. “Perhaps we could send a card instead.” “The resolution is a statement of the SGA’s opinion,” Senator Sam Maron said with enthusiasm. The votes were taken, and the resolution did not pass. Using Robert’s rules of order, the code of conduct that SGA follows, the campus safety resolution was brought up once again. A motion to reconsider was called to order by a Senator who had previously voted against the resolution, allowing the resolution to be looked at again. A heated conversation ensued. After a rush of questions and friendly amendments, the gavel was brought down and a 10-minute recess was ordered. The resolution was finally passed, noting that the Student Action Committee would focus its main priority on campus safety issues. Yet again, a motion to suspend the rules and move back to emergency business was requested by Senator Sean Haggerty. Shock and exasperation was mirrored in the Senators’ faces as the motion was called to vote. It did not pass. “Right now it is on record that we are not wishing for Michelle’s safe return,” Maron passionately interjected. Whispers and shocked looks floated around the room as he spoke and Senator DaVaughn Bryan clearly mouthed “stop him!” several times across the room to Bowden, who was acting as Speaker for the night. After a moment’s hesitation, Bowden slammed the gavel down, silencing Maron. A motion to rescind, or rethink, the motion to go to emergency business was brought up by Senator Emma Grady. This time, it passed. Senator Scott McCarty explained the new resolution. “It’s a resolution for the safe return of Michelle,” McCarty said. “It will not be sent to her parents. This is only for our records,” Maron added. At this point, Senator Harry Mallory brought up the issue of why this would need to be placed in the records. “A student had a heart attack a while ago, but we didn’t pass a resolution then,” Mallory said. “We agree this is bad, but we can’t give everything to everyone.” The resolution passed soundly. “I think it’s fair for [Mallory] to wonder why resolutions like these weren’t passed before, but not why this resolution is being passed now,” first-year Margot Friedman said. This was an issue of grave importance where the entire community was involved, said first year Matt Zeppieri. “I agree with [the resolution] being passed,” Zeppieri said. Bowden ended the two and a half hour-long meeting with sincere congratulations. “I think at the end of the day we did the right thing by passing these two resolutions,” Bowden said.