The Student Senate met for the last time this year on Wednesday night, approving more than $10,000 in new budget requests and helping Club Sports baseball attend the National Club Baseball Association World Series.
In a full show of support, the Senate unanimously voted to approve a $6,400 request by the team to help pay for lodging and transportation expenses.
“This opportunity is really good for the school,” Club Sports baseball team captain Jonathan Loomis said. “We’re exposing the school in a positive manner.”
Loomis said he hopes the national exposure will give the University a chance to become a Division I team in the future.
Mad Duckling Theatre, a children’s theater that hires students for summer performances, also received $2,500 to pay for stipends for the actors as well as production costs for two shows. University Theatre Director Joseph Gilg said the program operates on box office revenue and funds allotted through the Senate. Sen. Rodrigo Moreno-Villamar had a few concerns about this allocation.
“I went to ‘Winnie the Pooh’ last year and really enjoyed it,” Moreno-Villamar said. “I just wonder why you don’t get more support from University Theatre.”
Gilg said University Theatre provides access to costumes and sets as well as land use but that it did not have the budget to support Mad Duckling, which has been a huge attraction for Eugene residents.
Not all student groups had their requests approved. The Community Internship Program asked to transfer funds to pay for office supplies and a stereo. Sen. Jesse Harding voted to deny the disbursement for the new radio.
“When we can use student money effectively, that is what we should do,” Harding said. The Senate decided to transfer funds for supplies but not the radio.
The Senate has been dealing with problems arising from senators not attending meetings. A vote to change minor Senate rules had to be postponed because the meeting failed to meet quorum. President Ben Strawn motioned to censure Sen. Colin Andries for non-fulfillment of duties according to Senate rules; however, no decision was made and Strawn said it will likely not come up again.
“It has to die; there’s no way to continue it,” Strawn said.