Senate vetoes $10,000 allocation for Big Event budget

After a request by AFB, Vice President Konery Klueber, junior of Rapid City, South Dakota, vetoed The Big Event’s budget and opened an extra two weeks for discussion on the topic.

The veto, typically performed by the Senate president, was instead made by Vice President Konery Klueber due to a conflict of interest on the part of President Lukas Klueber, junior of Rapid City. President Klueber is the Finance Coordinator for The Big Event.

According to Senate Chief Justice Sam Merrill, senior of Hot Springs, South Dakota, President Klueber’s inability to perform the duties of president per article III, section 2.1 of the Senate by-laws meant veto power fell to the vice president’s role per article VI, section 2.1 of those same by-laws. 

Article III, section 2.1 of the by-laws states, “The President shall serve as the official representative of the student body at all meetings and convocations concerning it, and shall voice the position most favorable for the students.”

According to Article VI, section 2.1, “In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall assume the office.”

In an e-mail to Eagle staff, President Klueber states he “had to abstain from voting on the veto.” 

However, the vice president’s veto Monday evening might have been performed in error as The Eagle has found no indication an official transfer of powers from president to vice president was made. The language of senate by-laws does not indicate whether an official transfer is required given a conflict of interest on the part of the president. It is also unclear if Senate by-laws dictate that President Klueber’s abstaining from the presidential decision to veto creates a vacancy in the presidency. 

In last week’s Senate meeting, The Big Event committee was allocated the full $10,000 they requested. AFB had initially recommended $4,700 for The Big Event’s budget, but after the additional $5,300 was granted, this left the Senate account short of the extra $5,000. If The Big Event is re-allocated the original $10,000, this will leave the Senate account with $187.05 remaining for future projects in the remaining school year. Though Senate would continue to meet, the budget could restrict allocations for clubs and events in the spring semester.

“It doesn’t mean we will shut down,” Vice President Klueber said. “It just means that if clubs come to us, if events come with their stuff we feel passionate about funding, we just don’t have the funds. We have to say no.”

At this point, The Big Event does not have funding. However, the veto can be overruled if two-thirds majority of senators vote to keep the allocation and grant The Big Event committee their requested $10,000. Senators also recommended possibilities such as allocating the full funds with restrictions and co-sponsorships with CAB clubs. 

CAB Chair Kimberly Hernandez, senior of Scottsbluff, said she will bring the proposed sponsorships to CAB’s attention. Though the CAB account does not have the funds to help, clubs have only spent around $22,000 in allocated funds, which leaves the possibility for co-sponsorship open.

Senate agreed to table the decision for two weeks. 

Vice Chair of Records Kristina McGann, senior of Broken Bow, said this would give enough time for CAB and clubs to decide on the best course of action.

“If we give it two weeks, then we can address CAB next week and have enough time for people to respond,” McGann said. 

Adviser Markus Jones added that if Senate allocates the $5,000 and is left with $187.05, they would only have to turn down further requests without needing discussion.

“A budget is a budget. Once that money is spent, it’s gone. All you [Senate] would need to do is say no,” Jones said. 

Health Professions Committee requested $2,096 for their professional development trip in Granby and Denver, Colorado. After AFB’s proposed $1,576.74, senators voted 13-1 in favor of the recommendation.

Revive requested $7,825 for their Cru Winter Conference in Denver December 29-Jan 2. Senators voted 12-2 in favor of AFB’s recommended $2,474.55

The Health and Well-Being Committee announced that CSC’s Health Line contract, which is the service that provides information on student health through Student Health 101, is up in December. The opportunity for a new contract comes through a Colorado University-designed program. If implemented, the service would be available to all students in the spring of 2019.