SGA Report | Senate unanimously approves Budget Deficits Act of 2024
Student clubs across campus will likely see budget cuts due to retention rates below projections.
The Student Government Association (SGA) met for their second meeting of the semester on Jan. 30 at 11 a.m. in WAC 203.
To start the meeting, the SGA swore in Caleb Koontz to the senate.
The SGA reviewed the Registered Student Organization (RSO) manual that they briefly reviewed last meeting. Now, with more senators present, the group discussed more in-depth some of the details of the manual as well as things discussed previously.
The main goal of the revision is to encourage longer-standing clubs. In the past, clubs have been dissolved after four years typically when their supporters have moved on or graduated. The SGA aims to create clubs that would last five years or longer. Major changes include the required submission of a monthly budget report and the hosting of two events per semester.
The senators considered defining what classified an “event” or “meeting” for a club as well as a fine for clubs that fail to host their required two events. The manual passed the senate unanimously, 8-0. The manual moved on to the student body for a three-quarters majority vote to pass. If it doesn’t pass, it will be revised once more. If it does pass, a transition plan will be created and implemented.
Moving into old business, the senators discussed potential projects for committee assignments. Each semester, committees are formed out of the senators and assigned a project that will be pursued throughout the semester. The SGA came up with three possibilities for the semester.
Potential 1: Library Study Room Updates; the SGA would attempt updates in the library study rooms. This would include the addition of whiteboards and updates to paint, furniture, WiFi, and more to make the spaces more accessible.
Potential 2: Memorial Hall Weight Room; the SGA discussed to decide whether this project was worth taking on. The Bethel board of directors is in the final stage of fundraising for the new Wellness Center. The senate discussed minor updates to bide time.
Potential 3: Warkentin Court Kitchen; this project would be a partnership with Resident Director Larry Rice and Head of the Maintenance Department Adam Akers, who are working to establish a new kitchen in the ‘5’ stack of Warkentin Court. This space would most likely be off of the Warkentin lounge.
Next up, the SGA looked at the Budget Deficits Acts of 2024. Due to a drop in students for the Spring 2024 semester, the SGA budget dropped almost $10,000 under projected amounts. The SGA created this act to adjust budgets accordingly.
If a club utilized more than 50% of its budget last semester, it may expect at most a 15% decrease, whereas if a club used less of its budget, it might expect up to a 60% decrease. Cuts will be made to the SGA budget as well. The act passed unanimously.
The SGA will have its next public senate meeting on Feb. 20 at 11 a.m. in WAC 203. Committees will meet before then.