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Senate back in action
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The Associated Students of Boise State University Senate introduced two bills Tuesday, ending a two-month period of near legislative stagnancy.
The bills, which would allocate funds to both Parent/Family Weekend and the Music Education department, carry a financial impact of more than $5,000.
Sen. Sami Winkelman, sponsor of Senate Bill No. 07-2008, originally intended her legislation to be fast-tracked.
Winkelman fast-tracked the bill to ensure the suggested $1,800 contribution would be available for Parent/Family Weekend this Friday.
Assistant Director of Student Activities Charlie Varland informed the Senate that the money would not be available by Friday, even if the bill passed Tuesday.
The Senate ultimately voted 7-6-0 to send the bill to the Budget and Finance committee.
Several senators also suggested amendments to the bill and asked for clarification regarding phrasing and word choice within the document.
Winkelman said she was surprised at the Senate’s reaction to the legislation.
“They ripped the crap out of it,” Winkelman said after the meeting. “I think that some of it was unnecessary.”
Sen. Kelsey Ferrel also expressed dismay over the Senate’s hesitation to fast-track.
“I don’t understand why there is so much debate when it’s our event,” Ferrel said.
If passed, the bill would contribute $1,800 to pay the Astral Vortex dancers for their performance during an ASBSU tailgate Friday evening.
Winkelman said the event “will be a great opportunity for parents and families to get involved at BSU.”
The Senate also considered Bill No. 05-2008, which would allocate approximately $3,600 to the purchase of SMART boards for the Music Education department.
Bill sponsor Justin White, senator for the College of Arts and Sciences, explained that the SMART boards owned by the College of Education are difficult for music education students to use. This difficulty is due to the location of most music education classes in the Morrison Center.
White said many K-12 schools now use SMART boards, and it is important for music education students to learn how to use them.
“Having teachers be more prepared as they leave is going to help your kids and my kids,” White said after the meeting.
The College of Arts and Sciences is contributing $1,000 to the purchase of the boards.
Some senators expressed concern at the discrepancy in funding.
“It seems like we’re forking over a huge chunk of change,” College of Engineering Sen. Geo Engberson said.
The bill was ultimately sent to Budget and Finance for further consideration.
Also new at Tuesday’s meeting was Sen. At-Large Michael Reed. He attended his first complete Senate meeting after being sworn in last Thursday.
The ASBSU Senate meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Student Union Forum.
CHARLOTTE TAYLOR
Managing Editor