A UT organization is considering disbanding after lack of participation cancelled officer elections.

Vegetarian Student Alliance (VSA) had its final meeting of the semester April 28. The organization was supposed to hold officer elections for next school year, however after only one member attended, the elections were cancelled.

More than 115 people are listed on VSA’s mailing list.

VSA has experienced unusually low turnouts for meetings this year. This is the second time group members have considered disbanding.

“I’m not really sure how to proceed right now. It’s very difficult to be put in this position,” VSA president Sara Cole said. “The idea of having to disband the organization due to lack of interest and participation is very saddening.”

Although VSA does have a faculty advisor, John Nolt said he has not been as active with the group as he intended. “I wish I had time to lend them more support and to be more involved. They are a great group,” Nolt said.

Among the group’s activities is a monthly potluck dinner allows for socializing over vegetarian cuisine. However, the organization’s last potluck was also cancelled because of low participation.

VSA was founded at UT in 2006 in effort to provide a social outlet for vegetarians and vegans on campus. The organization’s primary goals are promoting vegetarianism on campus and creating more vegetarian food options at UT dining facilities.

The group meets in the University Center the fourth Monday of each month during fall and spring terms. Although the group has had low attendance at meetings, VSA had continued to hold each monthly meeting. Cole believes the organization will stay together despite the attendance level at the final meeting of the semester.

“It seems that the general sentiment is that we don’t want the group to disband, so my plan is to have a big meeting at the beginning of next semester and try the elections again,” Cole said.

She remains hopeful the low turnout for meetings is not because members are ready to disband.

“I realize that this is a busy time in the semester and we’re all preparing for exams. This is simply an inconvenient time in the semester and several people who wanted to attend the meeting were unable to for various reasons.”

VSA’s next meeting will be in August. For more information visit the VSA website.