SGA Looks Forward To Budgeting

The Student Government Association began preliminary talks to decide what projects to include in next year's budget during their weekly meeting Monday night.

"With the budgeting process right around the corner, we need to find out how committed the senate is to funding some of these projects," vice president Greg Felock said.

The tentative budget includes continuation of the Cape Transit Authority Safe Ride and WINGS programs as well as funding for involvement ambassadors and Southeast-at-A-Glance.

The Southeast-at-A-Glance project is a plan to install six large screens in high-traffic areas in order to provide students with integrated newsfeeds containing weather conditions, university news, shuttle updates, etc. SGA members offered suggestions to refine the implementation plan, but agreed the concept is worth pursuing. The six proposed sites include Grauel, the River Campus, Towers, Kent Library, University Center and Dempster Hall.

The majority of SGA supports funding the CTA Safe Ride and WINGS programs. Representatives' only substantial concern is the lack of official usage metrics.

Three proposals for funding were also presented during the meeting. C.M.O. Fit received $450 to fund a trip to an upcoming fitness convention and the Student Dietetic Association received $298 to expand their canned food drive in near-unanimous decisions. The third proposal was more divisive.

The Greek Week Steering Committee requested $3,023 to purchase high-heeled shoes for a charity walk-a-thon. The event, called Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, is a part of Greek Week festivities. SGA members were split on whether the proposal would be a prudent use of funds. Some felt that a more detailed proposal was needed before they could approve such an expenditure. Others feared that if the event fails to become an annual part of Greek Week the shoes would go to waste and recommended stipulations mandating that the event be held for the next five years.

SGA initially voted to grant the funding in a 16-15 vote with two abstaining, but president Benny Dorris vetoed the decision after the meeting.