Story by Emma Wilson
Senate had a busy second week back at Drake University. There were eight new motions and some unfinished business from last week.
This week, senate unanimously approved a new organization. The Middle East Peace & Prosperity Alliance. The organization is different than others on Drake’s campus because it will be solely centered on the Middle East as opposed to other organizations who may briefly focus on the Middle East as well as other areas.
The organization will tie together philanthropy, education and advocacy and plans to bring in many speakers. According to the group, “reading what comes out of western media isn’t always enough.”
The Middle East Peace and Prosperity Alliance believes that their group will help students embody Drake’s mission statement and make students “global citizens.” The organization is currently working with the American Friends Service Committee to host an interfaith forum on Israel and Palestine.
Senate officially approved the name change for the organization formerly known as Student in Free Enterprise (SIFE) to Enactus. The group has been in the process of rebranding for the past three years, and the name change is the final step to allow the group to have a broader mission statement.
The Muslim Students’ Association was approved for one time funding for Islam Awareness Week. Sen. Ley proposed to increase the amount of funds requested from $693.15 to $893.15 in order to give the speaker at the event an honorarium – the motion carried.
Islam Awareness Week will focus on breaking down Islamic stereotypes and increasing interfaith communication. The event will sponsor several events including a film, a hijab challenge, a speaker open to both campus and the public and a fast with a meal at sunset. The motion passed unanimously.
A graduate school organization, the Iowa Rehabilitation Association was officially approved as a new organization. It will only be open to graduate students for the time being but if Drake were to rehabilitation program for undergraduates, they would also be welcome. The group hopes to promote disability awareness around campus and host a conference for Drake students and staff.
Chinese Students’ Association was approved for one time funding for Chinese Night. Chinese Night is the Chinese Students’ Association’s biggest event of the year. The theme for this year is, “Step into the Past.” The motion carried and was passed unanimously.
Drake University Honors Magazine was approved for one-time funding unanimously. They requested funding because they are no longer funded by the honors program. They are now funded by the Board of Student Communications but were not put into the budget for 2012-13. They predict that this will be their last time requesting funding from Senate.
The African Student Association requested one time funding for the African Renaissance Night. They requested funding because their performers changed the amount of money they were requesting.
Sen. Haria proposed an amendment to allocate an extra $500 for the event, however Senators Slade, Thompson and Karaz pointed out that the SFAC chose to allocate a specific amount of money to the organization for a reason. The amendment did not carry but the motion carried unanimously.
South Asian Students’ Association (SASA) requested one time funding to go to South Asian Student Associate Conference called Nachte Raho in Iowa City. Attending the conference allows SASA to connect with other South Asian student groups and find performers for Diwali night. The motion passed by acclimation.
