The hiring of an office manager for the Mills International Center proved to be the main talking point at Wednesday’s ASUO Senate meeting.
Many senators questioned the merits of hiring a professional rather than a work-study student for the position, but members of the Department Finance Committee successfully argued that only a long-term appointment would be able to organize the international center. The Senate voted to fund a professional hire that has yet to be made.
When the vote was announced at the international center during the meeting, the room erupted in cheers, Sen. Kate Jones said.
The following items were also discussed:
Funding for EMU club soccer and water polo teams to attend nationals
Members of the soccer team explained they had raised two-thirds of the necessary funds through contracts with the athletic department to clean up after campus sporting events. The body approved the requests but asked whether the EMU could budget money in the future in case teams reach nationals, to avoid superfluous funding requests.
“I’m very impressed with the soccer team’s fundraising efforts.” – Sen. Nathan Perley
Benchmark recommendations from Department Finance Committee
The DFC recommended a 3.38 percent decrease in benchmark funding for the departments it oversees, largely fueled by a 34.6 percent decrease in the Career Center’s funding.
“The Career Center is trying to get off the (incidental fee),” Jones said.
ASUO Vice-President Johnny Delashaw countered with a proposal to decrease funding by 4.46 percent, instead.
The Senate resisted the DFC’s proposal at first because senators were skeptical of the international center’s request for an office manager, but DFC members eventually convinced them the position was necessary.
“Times are bad economically, but we need programs.”- Sen. Nick Schultz
Benzene Resolution
Delashaw sought support from the Senate for his and ASUO President Sam Dotters-Katz’s resolution to reduce benzene emissions on campus by asking drivers not to leave cars idling. The plan would involve erecting signs and placing stickers encouraging drivers to turn off their cars when parked.
The Senate voted down the proposal because many body members were nervous about the consequences of passing too many resolutions.
“What’s it going to do? We don’t need a resolution to put out stickers.” – Sen. Arielle Reid.
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