Senate Allocates Nearly $10,000 at Meeting, Discusses Freedom of Expression
The Student Senate flag flies above Penn Hall (Photo courtesy of Gettysburg College)
By Sarah Hinck, Staff Writer
A whopping sum of $10,191.99 came before the student senate for approval on Monday night, and, with minor adjustments including one adding error discovered during the meeting, almost all was allotted.
The clubs requesting funds were
- Biosphere ($1,707 towards six events this semester; $1872 was requested, but one event was not approved)
- Black Student Union ($1,615 towards an upcoming alumni weekend event co-sponsored by organizations around campus including the Office of Diversity & Inclusion and Office of Multicultural Engagement)
- Army ROTC ($1700.50 towards an annual event typically held in Carlisle but at the Gettysburg Hotel this year, where many of Gettysburg’s cadets will be recognized)
- Disciplemakers Christian Fellowship ($4929.49 towards a conference and a few events)
- Total: $9951.99
All four of the clubs had a representative present and faced questioning by senators regarding their respective requested amounts, and, with the exception of the DCF budget, which passed on a 14-10 voice vote, each passed with overwhelming support.
After meeting its goal of allocating money in a more conservative manner during the Fall 2017 semester, the Student Senate entered Spring 2018 with a grand total of $50,518. Therefore, the money that was up for allocation last night consisted of roughly 20% of what is available this semester.
Aside from budget requests, two clubs sought and received recognition: Gettysburg’s Amnesty International and Gettysburg News Network.
On the horizon looms the Student Senate vote on the Freedom of Expression Philosophy. Policy Committee Chair Pat McKenna outlined the timeline for the process, which includes the release of the final statement after the workgroup collects feedback, a discussion at the February 26 meeting, and, likely, a vote at the March 5 meeting.
Multiple senators have already voiced concerns regarding the statement and urged the student body as well as other members of the senate to read the statement as it will impact the Gettysburg community as a whole. A straw poll at the meeting showed that about half of the senators had not yet read the statement in full.
The comment period for the draft statement ends February 15, and comments can be submitted via this Google Form.
