As the final USG Senate meeting approaches, the Senators were presented with a slew of emergency grants, marking the end of the allocation of funds for the spring semester, at their April 25th meeting. First, though, they used their second-to-last meeting to put their stamp on a revolutionary academic proposition.
Emae Kiyaei, a concerned student, came before the Senate to introduce the Triple Major Resolution, which will allow students to complete and gain recognition for up to three majors and three minors. Stony Brook University’s academic policy currently restricts the number of majors and minors a student can study during their academic career. Kiyaei urged the Senators to support his cause saying, “No artificial barriers should be placed on learning, expanding one’s knowledge.” He further explained his frustration with the administration and the importance of the Senate’s endorsement of the resolution when he said, “As a student trying to get a better education, I thought I would be welcomed. I want the student body’s support. The Senate’s support will show the administration the importance of this resolution. I’m still trying to get through the system, and I need all the support I can get.” According to Senator Lynch, many SUNY schools allow ambitious and able students to take three majors and three minors. The Triple Major Resolution was passed unanimously with applause for Emae Kiyaei who had taken to initiative to bring about change for the benefit of the student body.
As the spring semester is winding down to an end, it was time for the budget committee to present the Undergraduate Student Government 2006-2007 budget, which is responsible for allocating money to clubs, organizations, LEGs, and administration funds.
This important step in the annual U.S.G. cycle opened up a lot of issues regarding specific allocations, to which the budget committee was obliged to respond. Questions were raised about the lack of funds granted to the dance team for next year. Upon questioning, the budget committee explained that the dance team was exclusive to ten people and has been approached by Senators about increasing student involvement. The budget committee further explained that the dance team may be able to receive funds through grants, but that the lack of money allocated to them will be an incentive to find ways to incorporate more students into their club. Another question was raised about the $1 granted to the F.S.A., which contrasts their requests and grants, estimated to be around $250,000 in previous years. The Budget Committee explained the dramatic decrease was also an incentive for the F.S.A. to meet with the committee in order to discuss the breakdown of funds. Senator Lynch explained that after numerous attempts to meet with them, the F.S.A. finally decided to set up a meeting after the proposed $1 grant was announced. Senator Lynch stated, “We finally got a meeting to discuss the breakdown of funds. They need to know we’ll give you what you need, but not more than that.”
Senators also questioned the large amount of money given to the U.S.G. Executive Council for stipends, at the amount of $55,000. The Budget committee then responded, explaining that such stipends were in the constitution and, thus, mandatory. However, some gallery members hinted to Senators that since such a large portion of student activity fee money is used to fund Executive Council stipends, Senators should think about amending the constitution for the upcoming year. Despite minor debate and questioning, the budget was passed unanimously with yet another round of applause, this time for the committee.
At the end of the meeting, President Diana Acosta approached the Senate with copies of the amended constitution, to answer questions and to hear suggestions. President Acosta described the amending of the Constitution to have been, “quite a monumental task with students, lawyers, members of press and numerous senators participating in the process.” While minor changes in format and rewording were passed over, the major changes were questioned for their ambiguity, especially concerning the impeachment of Executive Council members, Senators, and Justices. The constitution was amended to state that the Supreme Court can remove an Executive Council member or a Senator by a three-quarters vote of its filled positions, as opposed to the previous two-thirds vote. The Senators also questioned the amendments made concerning the Student Activity Fee Collection Referenda, due to its ambiguity concerning who would have the power to raise the fee. However President Acosta responded, saying that the actual amount of the fee was never in the constitution. President Acosta reminded the Senate that she will take into account their questions and recommendations, and work with others in amending the constitution.
Although the agenda was not completed, the Senate meeting abruptly concluded due to time. Issues will further be discussed at the final Senate meeting next week.
