The ASUO Student Senate met Wednesday to approve appointments and hear special requests from MEChA, the Multicultural Center and the Westmoreland Tenants Council.
Meghan Madden’s appointment to the Constitution Court was approved by a senate vote of 12-2.
Also, campus radio station KWVA asked that a representative of the senate be appointed to its board of directors. The senate approved Eric Bailey’s appointment to this position 13-1.
MEChA requested $150 from the surplus to cover technology fees for their Dia de los Muertos celebration on Nov. 2. The senate approved the request 8-6.
The MCC requested $1,000 for six members to attend a youth leadership in Baltimore, to take place Nov. 8 through 10. The senate approved the request 9-4.
The Westmoreland Tenants Council requested $2,303 for its general budget. The council lost its funding previously because of a failure to deliver a budget report in the spring. Currently, the council consists of only a volunteer chairman, as there is no money to pay for staffing. Council elections are planned for Nov. 15.
After hearing the council’s request, the senate debated whether it was fair to punish this year’s council for mistakes made last year. An agreement was reached that the council deserved a reinstatement of funding. However, adjustments were made in the stipend amounts for positions that will not begin until Nov. 15, as well as the amount for office supplies and incidental costs.
Eventually, the senate unanimously passed stipends of $600 for council chairperson, $375 for vice chairperson, $188 for secretary treasurer, $35 for payroll assessment, $15 for office supplies and $100 for equipment rentals and decoration.
The Senate also approved $640 for child care and $54 for printing and duplication costs by a 13-1 vote. The total amount approved for the Westmoreland Tenants Council was $2,007.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Alliance delivered a presentation aimed at removing any questions or concerns regarding its use of funds, specifically in regard to the Queer Prom that was held earlier this month, co-hosted with Lane Community College’s Queer Resource Center.
There was some controversy over whether LGBTQA had used the surplus funds approved by the senate for a prom intended to raise money. LGBTQA assured the senate that the prom was never intended to be a fundraiser.
However, LCC’s Queer Resource Center, an organization with a $50 budget, did view the event as a fundraiser. This means the LGBTQA could have indirectly violated a Green Tape Notebook rule forbidding surplus funds being used for fundraisers.
To make amends, LCC’s Queer Resource Center has written a formal apology to the students of the University and agreed to return half of the proceeds it made from the event.
Senate members complimented the LGBTQA members for the completeness of their presentation, and all parties were relieved to put a confusing and contentious chapter to rest.
Dave Goldberg is a freelance writer for the Emerald.