Senate pass budget for 2013-2014

SGA Senate met to discuss and pass their 2013-2014 budget Sept. 5. 

These finances pertain to the Senate branch of SGA but Freshman Forum’s budget is a line item within the larger budget, said SGA President Laura Giles.

The proposed budget includes funds to cover Higher Education Day, the annual Student Government Association (SGA) 5K, the annual trip to the Alabama YMCA Collegiate Legislature, promotional items and other miscellaneous events and costs.

SGA has a total of $88,890 budgeted for the fall and spring semesters. There were only a few minor changes implemented from last year’s budget, said SGA Treasurer Elizabeth Tyson.

Each year, SGA members have the opportunity to write and pass bills at C-Leg in mock legislature sessions, said SGA members.

The money budgeted for the Alabama YMCA Collegiate Legislature (C-Leg) trip increased by $250 to $2,250 this year.

“We get to go to Alabama’s State Congress and actually work with representatives to write and pass bills,” said Senator Mary-Francis Wilson.

SGA takes approximately 15 senators to participate in C-Leg each year, which costs roughly $140 per person, Tyson said.

Senate also voted to increase the promotional items line item in their budget from $2,500 to $3,000, while they voted to decrease their copy and letterhead budget to $750.

The only new line item added to Senate’s budget was Study Day, which has $850 allocated to it. Study Day is a day at the end of the semester for students to study for final exams with classes cancelled.

SGA also discussed other upcoming events, like participating in the No Kid Hungry Campaign by promoting national awareness of children who are suffering from hunger. Members will be donating funds to the campaign by hosting a bake sale in the GUC on Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Senators also discussed an upcoming safety forum, which will be held on Sept. 23 in Stone Lodge.

“We want to see what the students want when it comes to safety and what SGA can do for you,” Giles said.

“This will be used as a preventative measure to keep this campus safe,” Giles said.