2008 Woodie Awards
Lengthy SGA meeting results in big bucks for CSOs
Megan Kenny and Jamie Robinson
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: News
In its eight-hour funding meeting for student groups for the 2008-2009 school year, the Student Government Association awarded $669,636.90 to student groups, with a few smacks of the gavel.
Financial Vice President John Curry said he and the finance committee used an "aggressive approach" in distributing money to student groups of "higher quality" than last year.
Twenty-eight groups chose to ask for reconsideration on the amount of money the finance committee allotted them. Chartered Student Organization representatives were asked to speak about their groups, and the specific amounts for which they requested a reconsideration.
Among these were SLU TV President Maggie Szewczyk and Executive Vice President John Castelli, who appealed the finance committee's recommendation to cut their requested allocation from $11,604.46 to $4,861. The Senate debated SLU TV's request for $7,000 for a new set, which would include a larger desk and new backdrop, which was eventually rejected. SLU TV also requested a new iMac-a request mirroring one from last semester.
When asked where the money for the first computer went, Castelli said the money was used to replace a broken camera. Despite the duplicate request, the bill was amended and passed, totaling $6,304.46.
One of the most debated issues of the night was SGA's appeal to itself. It originally requested $28,302.31 for the CSO Leadership Retreat, which the finance committee cut to $12,314.74.
The finance committee questioned the need for the retreat to take place off campus. Curry said the event could take place on campus and potentially draw a larger crowd. Executive Vice President Samantha Howard disagreed, saying that feedback strongly indicated that the event should be held off-campus to provide an effective environment for student leaderships to bond.
For some senators, this appeal raised moral dilemmas. Curry said he feels this is not an event that the student activity fee was intended to cover.
Financial Vice President John Curry said he and the finance committee used an "aggressive approach" in distributing money to student groups of "higher quality" than last year.
Twenty-eight groups chose to ask for reconsideration on the amount of money the finance committee allotted them. Chartered Student Organization representatives were asked to speak about their groups, and the specific amounts for which they requested a reconsideration.
Among these were SLU TV President Maggie Szewczyk and Executive Vice President John Castelli, who appealed the finance committee's recommendation to cut their requested allocation from $11,604.46 to $4,861. The Senate debated SLU TV's request for $7,000 for a new set, which would include a larger desk and new backdrop, which was eventually rejected. SLU TV also requested a new iMac-a request mirroring one from last semester.
When asked where the money for the first computer went, Castelli said the money was used to replace a broken camera. Despite the duplicate request, the bill was amended and passed, totaling $6,304.46.
One of the most debated issues of the night was SGA's appeal to itself. It originally requested $28,302.31 for the CSO Leadership Retreat, which the finance committee cut to $12,314.74.
The finance committee questioned the need for the retreat to take place off campus. Curry said the event could take place on campus and potentially draw a larger crowd. Executive Vice President Samantha Howard disagreed, saying that feedback strongly indicated that the event should be held off-campus to provide an effective environment for student leaderships to bond.
For some senators, this appeal raised moral dilemmas. Curry said he feels this is not an event that the student activity fee was intended to cover.
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