Highlights
- Approved funding request for International Connection to send students to United Nations
- Gave $1000 to help mend Bluffton Connection’s negative balance
- Ordered bleachers for the Sommer Center’s basketball arena
Student Senate approved a funding request for International Connection, partially denied one for Bluffton Connection, and ordered three bleachers for an updated version of The Dam in the upcoming Sommer Center.
Three staff members of Bluffton Connection—our university’s online newspaper and radio program—requested $2,100 from Senate. The newspaper had acquired a large surplus after saving on printing costs when the paper went digital years ago. However, the surplus exhausted this summer, and due to a new two-year contract for radio streaming rights, Bluffton Connection has plummeted into the red.
The representatives asked for $2100 to keep the organization afloat for this summer, but they received less than half. When asked how the negative balance was allowed to incur, they were unable to provide a clear answer. Senate agreed to give $1000 to help cover streaming fees, but requested that Dan Fultz attend a meeting in order to answer further questions.
A funding request of $516 was fully approved for International Connection to send six Bluffton students to a seminar at the United Nations in New York City later this month. The topic of this year’s seminar addresses the issue of displaced persons, refugees, and immigrants around the world. Attending students are expected to gain a wealth of applicable knowledge on political, social, and humanitarian issues.
Lastly, Senate has granted consent to order three bleachers for the upcoming Sommer Center, which is expected to open early this November. There is not yet a consensus on where the bleachers will be placed. While an overwhelming majority recommended placing them under the visitor’s basket, discussion is still up in the air. Julie DeGraw has planned to meet with the men and women’s basketball teams to ask their opinions.
Senate question of the week: Do you think additional/new bike racks are needed on campus?
