End of year funding allocated, bylaws changed

Story by Emma Wilson

Last Thursday, Student Senate finished the last meeting of the 26th session.

In unfinished business, Senate approved several bylaw changes it discussed last week. Senate approved an addition to the Drake Student Handbook, which created an appeals process for student organizations that do not get approved by the Student Affairs Committee.

A Presidents’ Panel bylaw change, which would require the Presidents’ Panel to meet at least once a month from September through May, was created. The Presidents’ Panel would include the Vice President of Student Life, the Vice President of Student Activities, the Resident’s Hall Associate President, the InterFraternity Council President, the PanHellenic Council President, the Student Alumni Association President, the Student Athletic Council President and a Unity Roundtable Representative.

Senate also made an amendment to its bylaws, which would clarify the role of Non-Senator voting policies. This would make it so that Ex-Officio and Non-Senator Committee members would not be permitted to vote during meetings.

Senate approved a bylaw change to clarify the role of proxies. This change would allow proxies to vote in Senate the way their senator tells them to without having to send in their votes to the secretary in advance. Sen. Stephen Slade was concerned with this set up — there was no way for anyone to check if the proxy was voting the way their senator told them to. Several other senators pointed out that this was a good thing because it encourages senators to pick trustworthy people to be their proxies.

To Write Love on Her Arms requested one time funding to attend the TWLOHA University Chapter Summer Conference. The group attended the conference once in the past and it gave them crucial skills to improve their organization’s effectiveness and involvement on campus. The motion was passed by acclimation.

The Secular Student Alliance requested one time funding to attend the Secular Student Alliance Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio. There was an amendment to the request to allow for another member of the group to attend the conference; this amendment was passed unanimously. In the past, the conference has given members of the organization skills that improved their organization and helped make it more sustainable. The motion passed unanimously.

Student Activities Board requested one time funding to attend the NACA Conference Management Institute. The conference would provide valuable knowledge as to how to work with agents and artists to book acts for Drake. Vice President of Student Activities Carly Kinzler served as a chair on the Bands Committee in the past and said attending a conference like this would have been very helpful to her. The motion was passed by acclimation.

Senate requested one time funding to attend the Student Senate Leadershape Conference. Dean of Students Sentwali Bakari said the conference had been a really meaningful experience for senators in the past. The motion was passed by acclimation.

Senate approved a motion that would set aside funds from this year’s student activities fee to continue Free Movie Friday next year. The program has been very successful with an average attendance of 200 students per showing. Free Movie Friday will begin immediately in the Fall 2013 semester.

Senate approved the recommendation made by the Campus Advancement Committee and the Quasi Endowment Fund Special Project Ad Hoc Committee to use money from the Quasi Endowment fund to pay for 5 new refillable water bottle stations in each of the residence halls. Facilities will match this and place 5 other refillable water bottle stations around campus.

Senate closed the 26th Session by honoring those senators who will not be returning for the 27th Session. Senate Inauguration will happen tonight.