Student Federation will vote on eight proposals at today’s meeting. Together, these proposals total more than $120,000 worth of funds student clubs and organizations are looking to get from the student government.
The influx of proposals comes in the wake of a recent discovery by college administrators of a $50,000 Student Federation rollover fund, pushing this year’s budget to nearly $80,000. After setting aside money for student publications and other fixed expenditures, Student Fed has $66,000 to spend as part of its discretionary fund.
Student Fed members said they will spend a good chunk of that money at today’s meeting.
“I think the word is out that there’s this big pot of money and people can just come get it,” said Viktor Rozsa, senior representative.
Senior and Student Fed Treasurer Chelsea Goodale said they don’t plan to spend all the money at today’s meeting. In a typical meeting, the federation will only spend a couple thousand dollars, or no money at all.
Junior representative Casey Harper said, however, they will spend “significantly more money” than usual at today’s meeting.
“Clearly students are getting a little more comfortable asking us for money,” Goodale said.
The night before each Student Fed meeting, representatives hold a finance meeting to review proposals that will be voted on the next day. At this week’s finance meeting, the finance committee reviewed eight proposals from clubs and individuals for campus improvement.
The campus improvement proposals included a $50,000 request from Chief Administrative Officer Rich Péwé to build a smoothie bar in the newly-renovated Roche Sports Complex. Library Director Daniel Knoch also made a $48,000 request for new furniture, along with other improvements, for the Mossey Library, and junior Casey Harper requested $2,600 to purchase an arcade game machine and board games for the Grewcock Student Union.v
Sophomore representative Jordan Finney voiced enthusiasm about the prospect of allocating funds to renovate the library.
“I think people would really appreciate the library being updated,” Finney said.
Student Fed will also have their hands full with club proposals.
Junior Benjamin Kannel will request more than $4,000 for the Hillsdale College Pep Band. The club needs better quality instruments, Kannel said. Even though the pep band is under the music department, Kannel came to Student Fed for the funds.
“The music department has begrudgingly given us money in the past,” Kannel said. “They have other areas they feel are more important.”
Junior Matt Melchior, on behalf of the Student Activities Board, will request $10,400 in funds for a portable press box for him to broadcast college sporting events over the radio.
“I knew they had the money and I think they need to spend it,” Melchior said, referring to Student Fed’s rollover funds. “If they do something big that people can see, then their money is going to be a lot better spent.”
