SGA gives money to IV, Best Buddies programs

Intervarsity asks for new stereo equipment, meets all requirements to receive funds

Katelyn Wyszynski / staff photographer SGA passed two finance bills in its meeting Tuesday - one to give IV new stereo equipment and the other for supplies for JMU Best Buddies.

The Student Government Association passed two finance bills during its meeting Tuesday — one for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and one for Best Buddies.

IV asked for about $880 to send four of its executives to a leadership conference, and about $4,000 to buy new sound equipment.

The SGA's main concern about giving IV money for the sound system was whether the group really needed the item. One suggestion was that IV could share sound equipment with Campus Crusade for Christ.

Senior Joe Mills, who is in charge of IV's sound equipment, said it would be impossible to share with CRU because both organizations are so large that they need the equipment several times a week. Both groups use different equipment because they meet at different areas on campus.

"If a group meets the requirements [to receive the money] how can you say no? It isn't right," said junior Matt Gray, SGA finance chair. "How can you punish this group if they meet the requirements? It isn't their fault that others have asked before them."

One requirement to receive funds from SGA is that the group must have done extensive fund raising. IV has been involved in an AIDS walk, Take Back the Night, and helped with Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations.

IV also earned money through fund -raising activities such as letter-writing campaigns, T-shirt sales, car washes and concessions. Several churches also have donated sound equipment to the group in the past.

JMU Best Buddies, an organization that helps people in the community with intellectual disabilities, asked for $481.13 for a digital camera, supplies to help put on several events, and to send one of its executive board members to an international conference. This bill was passed in the Senate.

The bill was passed unanimously. Best Buddies hosts 12 events on campus, including co-hosting disabilities week. It also has participated in several fund raisers, including sending letters to families and businesses, bringing a clothing vendor to campus, selling T-shirts and doing fund raisers with CiCi's Pizza and Barnes & Noble.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, Robert Armstrong, chair of the Dining Services Committee, shared with the Senate several things that Dining Services is working on around campus.

Recently, D-hall added 150 seats in order to help relieve congestion. Dining Services also is considering expanding PC Dukes in order to help with congestion there. Dining Services either may expand into the picnic areas, or add more dining facilities where PC Ballroom currently is. Nothing has been decided yet.

They also are negotiating with Einstein Bros. Bagel about bringing the chain to campus.

At the end of the meeting, the Senate looked at constituational amendment bill C-4, which is the Students' Rights and Responsibilities amendment to the Senate Constitution. It will add to the constitution that the SGA is present on campus in order to protect the rights of students, and to give them the freedom to live and learn. This bill will sit for two weeks and then will be debated in the Senate.