Senate Spotlight: February 16th, 2022

Lucy Olmstead | lolmstead@butler.edu

Wednesday night’s Senate meeting began with the vote and announcement that Reagan Markland ‘23 will take on the role of Speaker of the Senate for the 2022-2023 academic year. SGA is excited to see all of the work Markland will do and knows she will lead the legislative branch well throughout the next year. 

After this important business, the Senate moved to hearing student organizations presenting grant requests from SGA. “The Student Government Association has a budget to help fund SGA approved clubs. A grant can be submitted through the Butler Engage page, with a budget allocation and justification.” LSB Senator, Jack Dougher, explained when he was asked about the grant application process. “[The grant] will then be transported to the Appropriations Committee, who oversees if the grant passes all SGA requirements. If the grant makes it through the Appropriations Committee, the grant then gets scheduled to the Senate, where the club will present their allocation and justifications in front of the entirety of the Senate. Then, the Senate votes to pass or deny the grant.” Dougher explained. While this process is lengthy, it is all in good intent to, “ensure that student dollars are used effectively to better the student experience at Butler University.”  

The Student Senate first heard from Butler’s LGBTQIA+ Alliance, presenting a request for a grant towards a gender affirmation closet. The LGBTQIA+ Alliance has over 160 members and their mission is to promote community, inclusivity, education, support, and advocacy. They also host events like the Annual Drag Show, Second Chance Prom, and Pride Month celebrations.  The closet they are wanting to start  is a place where transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students can go for gender affirming clothing and accessories, including binders, straps, underwear, makeup, HRT storage, and items of the like. This space would specifically serve an underrepresented community who would often not have access to these products due to safety or financial concerns.  

Second on the docket, the Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability (CUES) presented requests for grants for the Green Grad and Campus Pride. The Green Grad recognizes “sustainability champions” on campus and encourages students to participate in sustainability initiatives that will benefit the environment on campus and in the community. The Campus Pride grant involves collaboration between CUES, the LGBTQIA+ Alliance, and the Diversity Center to create a campus Pride Index and rating for Butler’s campus. The Pride Index is a benchmarking tool that helps explain how LGBTQIA+ friendly a college campus is based on numerous factors. This tool has yearly institutional membership costs which would require recurring funding to keep CUES from having to present a request each year. 

After these three grant requests were presented, the Student Senate made a motion to vote on each individually. The LGBTQIA+ Alliance grant and both CUES grant requests were passed by the Senate.  

Following the grant presentations, the various Senate committees proceeded with their weekly reports. The Food Advisory committee reported to the Senate that an ice cream bar will be opening in Trip’s market. As well as information regarding a town hall for Resco being released soon. The Academic Affairs Committee announced that they will be having a “Puppies with the Provost” event and the Diversity, Equity, and Student Belonging Committee announced that they have multiple events in the future. More information will be announced on social media via the SGA Instagram @butlersga. 

Students will receive an email Monday, February 21st with a link to vote for their next Student Body President, Vice President and some Senate seats. Voting will be open from 8AM – 8PM. Information will also be periodically posted on the SGA Instagram, @butlersga, that day to keep students updated. All students are encouraged to vote!  

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