The Summer Senate met on May 13 to discuss four funding requests. The Summer Senate is a scaled-down version of the full Senate that meets three times throughout the summer break to discuss funding requests. The Summer Senate is comprised of the student body officers: senate president, vice president and secretary, the senate speaker and parliamentarian, five senators and the finance chair.

Dedman II Sen. Ben Hatch introduced a bill to fund student issues group Global Connections $300 to hold a welcoming event for international students. The legislation passed with little debate.

Student Body President Taylor Russ authored a bill to fund Theta Tau, the engineering fraternity, $885 to attend their national convention in Orlando. The group wanted to send six students to the event, and was willing to pay for four students to attend. After considerable debate, the Senate decided to fund Theta Tau $360 to cover the cost of lodging in Orlando.

Secretary Brooks Powell introduced the most costly bill of the meeting, a request by the Student Activities Center for $3,000 to help cover the expenses of the Mustang Cookout, an event that offers parents of incoming students a place to say their final goodbyes before leaving their students. Many senators questioned the need to fund such a large amount for one event. Secretary Powell said the event was a good way to promote the Student Senate and is a budding tradition on campus.

Sen. Hatch questioned the need of the event. “I don’t think this is a tradition,” Hatch said. “If Mom and Dad don’t say goodbye here, they’ll do it at Chili’s down the street.”

The Senate eventually decided to give the group $2,500 and encouraged the SAC to find alternative sources of funding for the event.

President Russ’ second piece of legislation asked for $1,224 for new computer equipment to be used in the office of the student trustee. The money would go to purchase a new computer and a printer for the office. Many senators debated the necessity of the equipment, particularly the printer. The bill was amended to $469 and then tabled until August.

The next Summer Senate meeting will be on June 17, with funding requests due on June 15.