More than one motion was able to spark controversy at last Thursday’s Student Senate meeting.
The first to stir discussion was a funding allocation for the Drake men’s lacrosse club to attend two tournaments in Winona, Minn., and La Crosse, Wisc.
“We’ve done our best to cover costs, but we haven’t had a whole lot of luck,” said senior Andy Woit, a member of the team.
Fundraising efforts have included a pasta dinner and charging each member of the team a membership fee. A sponsorship opportunity also fell through at the last minute, Woit said.
The Drake men’s lacrosse club has requested money in the past for tournaments, and some senators questioned the team’s sustainability.
“You keep coming back for the same thing, and we keep hearing the same thing,” Sen. Michael Riebel said.
However, other senators disagreed and applauded the organization for its increased fundraising efforts this year.
“They really showed commitment and creativity and effort,” Sen. Kayleigh Koester said. “I think it’s unfortunate if we react negatively to something they couldn’t control.”
The allocation of $626.40 passed 17-3 with three abstentions.
Member of President’s Council Emily Grimm has been selected to participate as a student lobbyist for the upcoming 2012 Fraternity and Sorority Congressional Visits in Washington, D.C. Her group will be lobbying for the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act, and last Thursday night, Grimm asked Student Senate’s formal support of the amendment.
The amendment “eliminates a distinction in existing tax law that would result in allowing tax-exempt charitable and educational organizations to make grants to non-University owned not-for-profit student housing entities that provide collegiate student housing.”
Some senators were in favor, while others were not.
“While I’m all for lobbying for things that are going to affect us, at the same time if it doesn’t affect us, I think we should just stay out of it,” Sen. Nate Bleadorn said.
Sen. Carly Kinzler was one of the senators in favor of supporting the amendment.
“I feel like it does have the potential to affect Drake,” Kinzler said.
The motion passed 17-5 with one abstention.
The Best Buddies funding allocation passed with much less discussion. The $350 allocation will cover registration costs for an International Leadership Conference over the summer in Bloomington, Ind.
“Being at the conference was helpful to learn some different terms and meet different people who are advising,” said first-year pharmacy student Michaeline Buettner, president of the club.
The motion passed by acclamation.
Student Body Treasurer Zach Keller and Student Body Auditor Ryne Nietert served previous notice on the Drake University Student Senate Fiscal Year 2012-13 budget. The budget will be voted on at tonight’s Student Senate meeting.
