On Thursday, March 19 at the Student Government meeting, senators debated whether or not to approve a petition to buy a $555 television for the Student Government Office. The entire installation, including an HDMI cord and an Apple dongle, would cost $750, according to Student Government Representative Dominick Scafidi ’17.
The Student Government Office, where the television would be placed, is closed to students who are not a part of Student Government. “As student government leaders are supposed to represent [the]student body and work with [students’] interests, and I doubt that the students will agree with this resolution.
“When we accept petitions like this, we are only benefiting ourselves. This is a clear example of abuse of power,” says Hall Senator Anna Shcherbiak ’17. Shcherbiak was not alone in her concern, as the vote came to 8 in favor, 12 in opposition, and 4 abstains. Student Government Representative Khaleeef Rehman ’18 motioned to table the resolution.
Those in favor of the resolution believe the television will be useful not only for Student Government Representatives, but for clubs who want to pitch ideas to Student Government. “The TV would be used for semesterly budget allocation (currently held in the faculty/ staff lounge, which will not exist next semester), committee meeting presentations, club pitch presentations to the COC/CAC, and display minutes/agendas for meetings,” Scafidi said.
The money for this installation would come from the Grounds and Development Committee (GDC). This committee is responsible for the new hand dryers in campus restrooms and the digital screens in the Mohr Student Center.
“The GDC budget does not roll over at the end of the year, so if the money is not spent it will move to other college accounts—meaning Student Senate loses the ability to allot it,” Scafidi said. “So if Student Senate can put the money to work, I support the resolution.”
As Shcherbiak notes, there are other areas on campus that could benefit from receiving a solution from this leftover money. Student Government officially voted to deny this proposition on Thursday, March 26. If you have suggestions on ways Student Government can spend their allocated funds, attend Senate meetings to voice your opinion on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. in Meyer Auditorium.
