Senate Spotlight Recap 04/05/23
With only two more meetings to go this legislative session, the Senate convened last Wednesday for multiple end-of-year items of business.
Dylan Noble | dnoble@butler.edu
Beginning just past 7 pm, the first matters for the Senate were several presentations from student organizations seeking endorsement or grants.
The Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Club went first. This club provides a place for women to practice and play ultimate frisbee separate from the coed team, free from any intimidation, lack of respect, or other obstacles that may come up for women players on the coed team. With about 15 people interested, they are seeking SGA endorsement.
Following them was Club Disc Golf, a club for anybody interested in the rapidly growing sport to get together and play casually. They would have weekly practices and occasional field trips to courses around the state. Around 15 students are interested.
Next up was the Survivors Club. This organization aims to provide an on-campus community for sexual assault survivors, as one in three women and one in five men experience some sort of sexual violence while in college; most of these assaults are not reported. This club would have biweekly meetings to teach coping skills, provide group therapy, and host other events. This would be open to all survivors and allies.
The penultimate presentation was by Club Baseball, seeking endorsement as Butler’s club for any students interested in casually playing baseball. Their mission is to provide students with a safe and competitive yet welcoming environment for success on and off the field. It is open to students of all abilities. With two practices per week, this club has about 30 students interested and would collect dues for field rental, transport, and team uniforms.
Philosophy Club went last. This club has been the departmental club of the Department of Philosophy and Religion for over a decade but has not had SGA endorsement. This club is seeking approval to expand its reach beyond just its academic department to promote philosophical dialogue and diversify on-campus thought.
Following these were the grant presentations.
The LGBTQIA+ Alliance presented in hopes of getting $1,698.80 to put on its Second Chance Prom, a prom for students who didn’t yet identify with their current gender identity/sexual orientation at the time of their high school prom. The money would go towards hiring a DJ, a photographer, and catering. SR 2223-107 was passed later in the session, granting these funds.
Dance Club followed, seeking $3500 to help put on shows. This money would go towards costuming, venue rental and staffing, and photographing the show. These funds were also granted with the passage of SR 2223-108.
The final grant presentation was by the Chinese Language and Culture Club. They were looking to get $250 to put on their end-of-year celebrations and study event, and the Senate approved this with the unanimous passage of SR 2223-109.
The Senate then moved to vote on SR 2223-104 (Endorse Talk it Out BU) and SR 2223-105 (Endorse Settler’s Club). The former of these resolutions would grant SGA endorsement to a new campus podcast called Talk it Out BU. “[It would be] cool to have a podcast on this campus where students can talk and voice their concerns,” Senator AJ Boes commented in support. Despite several nays and abstentions, this resolution passed. The latter resolution would endorse Settler’s Club, a club for playing Settlers of Catan, and this also passed.
The night ended with committee chair announcements and executive announcements. Notable announcements included: 2 workshops will be held on 4/6 and 4/10 for those who need to apply for a summer or early fall grant; the Student Leadership Banquet is being held on 4/17; an archivist has been hired for next year’s legislative session; 5 cabinet positions for next year are now open; Chief Justice elections are on 4/10; and the EOC has been working to streamline the election process.
The Senate adjourned at 8:15 pm.