Senate amends by-law revision, tables fee discussion
After a lengthy back-and-forth discussion, Senate voted to amend last week’s by-law revision and tabled talks regarding student fee increases.
The by-law revision, which was presented during last Monday’s meeting, outlined the student fee split between the NPAC and Student Senate. It read as follows:
“Every student will pay student activity fees. The student activity fee is currently split 36 percent going to the NPAC for the use of facilities, equipment, intramurals and activities and 64 percent will go to Senate for student activities. Effective 7/1/2019, the student activity fee will be split 37.5 percent going to NPAC for the use of facilities, equipment, intramurals and activities, and 62.5 percent will go to Senate for student activities.”
Currently, all student fees get funneled to two accounts: the NPAC and Student Senate. As the by-law states, the fees are currently split 36/64, with 36 percent going to the NPAC and 64 percent going to Student Senate. With the current $7 per credit hour, the NPAC gets $2.50 of every $7 with the remaining $4.50 going to Senate. The proposed fee increase would bump student activity fees to $8 an hour.
Though the above by-law was the proposed revision, Senate voted to cut the revision at the second sentence. The new by-law now reads as follows:
“Every student will pay student activity fees. The student activity fee is currently split 36 percent going to the NPAC for the use of facilities, equipment, intramurals and activities and 64 percent will go to Senate for student activities.”
The vote to approve the amended by-law came after senators agreed to push back decisions on student fee changes. According to Senator Kristina McGann, senior of Broken Bow, voting on the latter half of the proposed by-law would be “moot” without an agreement on student fee adjustments.
“The reason why we were doing this (changing the fee percentages), if I understand correctly, was so that it would be a $3/$5 split, and that would be reliant on us changing it. So, I honestly don’t think you could do it unless we voted on the other part first, and implement this, because it wouldn’t be doing its purpose,” McGann said.
When it comes to the students’ perspective, Senator Isioma Akwanamnye, freshman of Lagos, Nigeria, said her constituents are primarily concerned with how the decisions will affect their out-of-pocket costs.
“That’s the only question everybody wants to know: ‘How does this affect the money coming out of my pocket?’,” Awkwanamnye said. “Does this increase the money coming out of my pocket, does this take out the money?’’
Students with questions about fee increases are encouraged to talk with a senator for more information.
Jennifer Campos, sophomore of Alliance, was sworn in as senator-at-large. Campos, an accounting major, said she wanted to join Senate to “be a part of something bigger” on campus.
Senate allocated a total of $1,075.40 for graduation stoles, senator’s jackets and a “Coffee with Senators” event.
AFB’s recommendation of $328 was unanimously approved to purchase personalized stoles for 10 graduating student government members. $700 was also allocated for 11 senator’s jackets. The remaining $47.40 will go toward a “Coffee with Senators” event tentatively scheduled during AFB’s budget workshop tonight. The event will include coffee, hot cocoa and assorted treats.
AFB will be hosting a budget workshop from 5-7 p.m. tonight in the Lakota/Bordeaux room. Clubs must have at least one executive member attending the mandatory workshop.
Senator Aaron Wood, junior of Mineral Wells, Texas, announced Spring Days and the Nearly Naked Mile will be held April 25-28. The event’s theme is “Coachella”.
Senate currently has $14,399.79 in unallocated funds.