This week’s Student Senate meeting began with Leasa Kowalski, the Virginia-Snider hall director, addressing the campus flash flooding concerns.
“Restoration matters are happening as quickly as possible,” Kowalski said.
According to Kowalski, air quality is being tested regularly to meet all EPA standards, and cleaning agents are being used to terminate all mold.
President Liz Healy expressed thanks to those who helped with the Meadows dean interviews and reminded senators that the Student Senate inauguration of new officer will be held on April 25.
The scholarship committee announced that applications are in. After reviewing all applications, the committee said it will name scholarship recommendations on April 11.
Senate then approved $95 for the Association for Computing Machinery and $1,474 for the Hindu Students Association.
Requested funding also passed for Club Volleyball, the Interfaith Dialogue and the Medieval Club.
Senate funded the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting $2,075 to attend the 2006 National Convention and Case Study Competition.
Emotional debate centered on a bill to fund $4,685 to Brothers Under Christ for an annual concert. Some senators felt that since the concert was a social event, Senate should not fund it. Others held that BYX’s social events differ greatly from those of “normal” fraternity parties.
“This event is open to the whole community and will benefit everyone on SMU’s campus,” Sen. Robin Millican said. “As we are all SMU students, we need to take steps to help [BYX] get [funding].
Sen. Jonathan Lane reiterated the opinion that BYX differs from a basic social fraternity because their parties serve a difference purpose.
Some senators felt Senate should not fund BYX because they have requested funds for this concert several times before.
Opposition to this argument held that BYX does not have access to the same funds as the IFC fraternities do.
Senate then amended the requested amount from $4,685 to $2,120, which was then voted upon and passed.
Sen. Ben Hatch and Finance Chair Lauren Smith presented a resolution to amend certain phrasing in the Student Senate policies and procedures. They also proposed a resolution to amend the Student Senate by-laws. The resolutions will be further discussed in the coming weeks.
– Jessica Savage contributed to this story.
