April 7, 2020
The Student Government Association (SGA) senate met for the first time last Thursday since campus went remote last month. At the virtual meeting via Zoom, the senate approved one Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) recommendation and discussed procedures going forward this semester.
BAC funding can now only be allotted to clubs for the cost of durable goods and advertising.
Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) requested $1600 to fund their Traditions Challenge posters, which they hand out to students to encourage involvement on campus before graduation. This request was approved 11-0.
The senate discussed making a decision on what to do with the remaining funds from the student activity fees that have not yet been allocated to clubs and organizations. There was some disagreement on the appropriate course of action.
Some senators believe that the money should be refunded to students, even though the refunded amount for each student would be approximately $5.
“So many students [have been] talking about wanting refunds and getting them back,” said Stephanie Moyer, senator of innovation. “Although it seems like a good idea to put money towards an organization, what the student body really wants is a refund.”
Other senators thought that the funds should be put towards a project to benefit the student body. “I think pulling those $5 together and putting them towards something bigger will have a better impact,” said Senator at Large Brandon Goldstein.
One idea involved putting that money towards a scholarship being created separately by UCCS to support students who need extra support with remote learning access.
They will revisit the discussion at their next meeting to make a decision on how to allocate the remaining funds.
The senate also voted on and approved changing the weekly meeting time, since many senators are now at home in different time zones across the country. The meetings will now take place at 7 p.m. MST every Thursday night on Zoom and are still accessible to the public.
Links to join the meetings are embedded in the meeting agendas, which can be found at least 24 hours before every meeting on Mountain Lion Connect (MLC).
The senate is also making meeting agendas available to students on the SGA Facebook page and the UCCS Bulletin Board Facebook page, in addition to MLC. In an effort to adhere with the wording of their bylaws, a copy of the agenda will also be posted to the physical SGA bulletin board, which has been moved to the private residence of SGA Advisor Jon Bogh.