The Meeting:
The ASUO met Wednesday night to discuss nearly $200,000 worth of special request proposals, approve executive appointees and nominate senate officer positions.
To read the backstory, search “Programs solicit funding” at dailyemerald.com.
The Decision:
The Senate approved all the presented spending proposals, though some did not receive all the funding they requested. The Senate approved Michael Broetzmann to the Programs Finance Committee and Derek Nix to open Senate seat 11 for undecided majors.
Three of the 17 spending proposals did not receive full funding. The Survival Center’s Northwest Institute for Community Energy proposal, which asked for $13,000, was denied stipend funding because of the its goals’ vague nature, but it did receive $3,000 for office space and supplies to get the program started. Both the Blue Scholars concert and the Greg Mortenson speaking event received two-thirds of their funding, $17,000 and $24,800, respectively. The ASUO Senate asked ASUO President Sam Dotters-Katz and the ASUO Executive to fundraise the remaining money.
The Tension:
The grueling meeting lasted almost nine hours and tempers occasionally flared as the night dragged on until about 4 a.m. The room became stiflingly hot after the EMU’s air conditioning shut off around 1 a.m., which increased tension while senators were forced to fan themselves with memos and documents to stay cool. Much of the night’s debate focused on the appropriateness of the proposals, given the amounts being asked for and the unusually short time-frame in which they were created, which was about three weeks. Every proposal received fairly intense scrutiny, though each was ultimately passed in some capacity because of the consensus they would add to the quality and variety of student life, and because the funds were student money being used for student activities.
The Opinions:
“They didn’t reach out to all programs, and the over-realized funds from incidental-fee money is supposed to be open to all programs. All students should have equal access and opportunity.”-Senator Nick Gower on why he voted nay or abstained on all proposals.
“The things we put through will really benefit the student body. I have no problem staying up until 4 a.m. to see things that will benefit the students.”-Sen. Jordan Schenck.
“I’m really excited to be serving the students at the UO. I got involved heavily (in student government) at my old school and I hope to bring a lot back with me” – Michael Broetzmann, PFC appointee and national exchange student from Wisconsin.
WHAT’S NEXT
Next week’s meeting will see Senate officer elections, the annual ASUO Executive update, and a briefing on the Senate vote drive.
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