By Mitch Collica
Bellarmine Student Government Association held a budget meeting on Feb. 17 with representatives considering four proposals. SGA’s remaining funds for this semester prior to this meeting were for travel $5,000 expenses and $21,000 for general expenses.
Hanah Carter requested $700 to fund travel expenses for the Wilson Ornithology Conference in Allentown, Pennsylvania. SGA agreed unanimously to fund the request.
“This is a great opportunity for myself to present my research and get real experience with people who are further along in their career to learn and find new opportunities. I am also attending two other conferences this year that I am funding,” Carter said.
SGA Senior Representative Jon Gaudin said funding research and conference presentations is important.
“Not only does it show students can explore and study what they believe in, but it also gives them a chance to network and grow outside of the Bellarmine community with many professionals and people passionate about the same thing,” Gaudin said.
SGA President Haley Planicka prepares to conduct the last February meeting.
Kaitlyn Nally, assistant director of Student Activities, requested $1,374.35 to fund general catering expenses for the Campus Engagement Awards that honor hardworking students with more than 25 awards. The awards program will take place in late April in Frazier Hall.
“This is a great way to showcase Bellarmine students. This event is all about students cheering on students while supporting their achievements,” First-year Representative Liam Leake said.
After the bill presentation, SGA representatives and Nally discussed concerns and questions about the event. SGA Senior Representative Prince Mugabo said, “Who can win these awards, and where did you get the price from?”
Nally said, “Campus Engagement Awards has been held every year, and you can nominate anyone on our Engage page. We our asking for less than last year and SGA has helped fund this event every year.”
SGA representatives voted unanimously to fund the request.
SGA requested $1,000 to add a new vice president. This person will be named VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The goal of this chair is to encourage intentional, impactful dedication toward DEI on campus. This position will be voted on during a meeting in March and will be added next year to SGA. SGA representatives agreed unanimously to fund the request.
“Adding this chair is a no-brainier. SGA always has some money left over, so by making this a chair would be great use. Already the identity and equity committee does a ton for campus… creating a chair would allow for the committee to have more impact on the students,” Vice President of Finance Tommy Pack said.
SGA President Haley Planicka requested to add one representative to each class, bringing the total to 24 representatives.
“By adding more representatives, it allows for SGA to not only grow but help us represent more diverse opinions on campus. With more representatives, this would help expand engagement, involvement, and the impact we have on campus,” Planicka said.
SGA representatives agreed unanimously to accept this request.
Commenti