Fall’s first ASUO meeting began with an opening message from University Senate President Robert Kyrr. Kyrr Invited 5 ASUO senators to come to a University Senate Meeting during the year.
“You have voting rights and rights to make a motion. That is very important,” said Kyrr”. You are going to be making a lot of crucial decisions for the University.”
Kyrr served on the senate when Gottfredson resigned and will continue to serve through with the interim President Scott Coltrane.
While the University President has not yet been decided, newly elected ASUO Senate President Rebecca Rhodes kicked off the first ASUO meeting with funding three groups with Budget Surplus Funding.
Representatives from Asklepiads, a pre med club on campus, requested funding to attend the UC Davis pro health conference with club members and walked away with full funding.
Next, representatives from Envision Journalism looked for funding for their Second Hand Zombies fashion show to promote thrift shopping and make halloween as affordable as it is fun.Envision Journalism walked away equally as pleased with a contribution of $820 to their project.
Senator Lubash added that ASUO funded events and projects are required to refrain from charging students to attend the event. The event will be donation based, but free for students.
The night continued with a presentation from ETHOS on funding the U of O campus Oktoberfest. Representative Lindsay Simmons recalled past University funded events such as the UO Campus Block Party last spring and the community that is forged through them.
Chinese Philanthropic Leadership Association (CPLA) returned to ASUO this year in order to request funding for their member retreat and were granted their funding request.
The CPLA retreat funding request prompted Senator Sisk to bring to light the problems with holding student clubs and associations accountable for using the money responsibly.
” We should look to focus on making the surplus budget allocations more utilized and fair.”
By the end of the night senate successfully funded 3 of the 3 special requests from students.
Newly elected Senate Rebecca Rhodes adjourned the meeting and spoke about her hopes for senate.
“I am excited to serve as your Senate President. I am looking forward to working with the innovative groups on campus and helping with the Surplus.”
Elections for Senate Vice President, Senate Ombudsperson, Senate Treasurer, and Academic Chair will be held at the next senate meeting on Wednesday Oct. 8
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