SGA discusses new legislation, budget allocation
During its meeting on Monday, Feb. 13, the Student Government Association held a series of announcements, split into committee meetings and continued legislative workshops in the house meeting.
SBAC Committee
The Student Budget Allocation Committee (SBAC) voted to approve the funding requests from six different on-campus organizations.
The SBAC is part of the Student Government Association that meets separately after the first general meeting with all of the SGA. At Monday’s SBAC meeting, there were approximately 20 committee members present, out of the 100 or so who participate in SGA.
These requests for funding or reimbursement were sent in by registered student organizations for various overnight service trips, conferences and summits.
- NAFME Chapter 102 - Michigan Music Conference
- Omega Psi Phi - International Undergraduate Summit
- National Science Teaching Organization - National Conference on Science Education
- Mock Trial Association - AMTA Mock Trial Regionals
- Sigma Gamma Rho Inc. - Central Regional Conference
- Christ Central Choir - Service trip to Washington D.C.
The funding provided by SBAC ranged from $446 to $6,724.
Calvin Price is a member of Omega Psi Phi who went to the International Undergraduate Summit from Jan. 26 to Jan. 29. He said that it was an opportunity for networking, leadership skills and connecting with other chapters of the organization.
“I learned how to lead and communicate with different chapters,” Price said.
Price also said he has had a hard time getting funding from the University in the past. He referenced the “Michigan Made” concert, where his organization had initially paid for the venue out-of-pocket.
Price said that the university eventually paid for the venue change, which happened at the last minute, but he was encouraged to go to the SGA for funding in the future.
Workshops in the House and Senate
For the House and Senate portions of the SGA meeting, members were split into groups and asked to continue developing legislation for philanthropy projects.
“We have a group trying to increase awareness for non-MAC students about culturally based organizations,” Ashley Harvey, social media coordinator said.
Harvey also gave brief introductions to other forms of legislation in progress, including severe weather policies on campus, accessibility in Finch Fieldhouse and therapy cats.
Announcements
There were several announcements for events around campus made on Monday, including:
- Upcoming elections for President, Vice President and Treasurer for SGA.
- An immediate open position for an SGA Press Secretary.
- The Park Library has released its 2023 student opinion survey.
- According to the library’s page, the survey should take about nine minutes and automatically enters respondents into drawings for gift cards to the bookstore
- Previous surveys have shown changes like the allowance of small snacks in the library.
- Donations for next week’s clothing swap event are being accepted from 2 to 5 p.m. on Feb. 13 through Feb. 17 in the Student Involvement Center.
- After accepting donations, the actual clothing swap event will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 20 through Feb. 24 in the Student Involvement Center.
- The SGA sustainability committee is taking donations of “lightly used and unwanted clothing items, bags, shoes, plastic, glass, batteries, and aluminum,” according to its flier.
