Late Thursday evening, the first official meeting of the 2007-2008 Student Association Senate was held in 378 Student Union.
Among the meeting's topics were the Senate's financial responsibilities and the recognition or de-recognition of SA clubs.
According to SA Treasurer John Martin, the treasurer's report is now available for Senate review. The report lays out the budget for the over 120 clubs under SA's jurisdiction. In the upcoming weeks, the Senate will review the budgets of each club and decide how much money they should be allotted.
The Senate also discussed establishing this year's finance committee, which will be in charge of overseeing the treasurer's report and line transfers, reports of how SA money is being spent.
The finance committee will consist of six voting members, two nonvoting members, the treasurer and two rotating club coordinators who speak on behalf of SA clubs.
The main issue was to ensure that coordinators fulfill their responsibilities correctly by being an appropriate liaison between the SA Senate and SA clubs.
"I ask that the coordinator be responsible and honest and give an unbiased opinion on their clubs," said Peter Grollitsch, SA President.
The Senate then began to decide as to the criteria for recognizing temporary SA clubs as permanent clubs.
The old criteria required that a club complete six months of group activity and hold two general meetings, two club events, two community services, two SA events and fundraise $100 before they could be considered for permanent club status. They must also have at least ten established members including the three main e-board members (president, vice president and secretary).
"It all depends on each club," said Nick DellaNeve, an off-campus SA senator. "Image if you have a club with only one meeting but they have raised $2000 in fund raising. That's pretty impressive."
The change to the new requirements was that clubs would only need one club event, as opposed to the former of two. The other requirements to be recognized as a permanent club will remain the same.
Three temporary clubs were presented to the Senate for consideration to become permanent. In attendance was UB Aces Tennis club to argue for their permanent recognition.
"UB Aces is a club formed with the intention of bring together students with the common interest of playing tennis," said Alea Conte, president of UB Aces.
The club has been operating as a temporary club for the past year. It has 50 established members and approximately 200 affiliated members. Their defined constitution and completion of fundraisers, events and community service projects allowed for the club to be recognized as permanent by SA.
Additionally, the Senate voted to give the club a starting budget of $300.
The two other clubs considered, AIESEC and SOLEX, were de-recognized on account of inactivity.
The next meeting of SA Senate will be held on Monday, Oct 29 at 9 p.m. in 378 Student Union. The meetings are open to the public and students are encouraged to attend.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
