Student Senate

approves funds

for visiting speaker
The ASUO Student Senate met on Wednesday night to discuss funding a student-group sponsored speaker, a bill in the Oregon legislature that would drastically limit the use of student incidental fees and a revision of program and assessment policy regarding auditing.
The senate approved the Interfraternity Council’s application to transfer funds originally intended for the fall term salary of its president. Due to the resignation of the then-IFC president, the money had not been used. IFC will instead use the $452 to help pay for Daniel McPherson to come to campus to speak about the roles men play in reducing violence against women. The event is co-sponsored by the University Women’s Center.
The senate also heard a presentation from ASUO legislative associate Stephan Myers on a proposed bill in the Oregon legislature that would prevent student fees from funding any membership body — including such groups as the ASUO and Club Sports. According to Myers, Bill 3600 faces a hearing tomorrow in Salem.
Finally, the Senate approved a proposal from Seat 18 Senator Andy Elliot on a new program and assessment policy. Under current rules, an ASUO group conducting a fundraiser must hire an auditor to monitor the exchange of money and services. The auditor must be paid an hourly rate, which represents a prohibitive cost to many small ASUO groups, Elliot said.
Under the new rule, $1,000 will be taken from surplus money to establish a fund to pay auditing costs for ASUO groups. The adopted proposal is a limited version of the $5,000 plan that will go into effect next year.

— John Dudrey