Committee Minutes, Saturday, May 2nd 2009

Senator Lauren Demanovich submitted the following report to the Student Senate on Sunday, May 3rd 2009, on behalf of the Finance Committee, and pursuant to its Saturday, May 2nd 2009 recommendations:

Attendance:

There were three (3) members (Demanovich, Robinson, Tucker) present.

There was one (1) member (Cosolito) absent. There was also one (1) non-voting member (Lamm) absent.

The following official was also present: Rogers.

A quorum was present.

Meeting Minutes:

Finance Committee Meeting: 3:00pm
Members: Demanovich, Robinson, Tucker
Quorum was present
Guests: Compton, Dawkins, Rogers, Ceresnak, Lipka
Adam Compton presented the Ram Roast Situation. SBP Ceresnak stated his opinion on the situation. SCP Dawkins presented the executive branch view of the Ram Roast Situation.
The committee discussed the matter amongst themselves, a number of different variations of the Ram Roast Situation were discussed. The explanation presented by Compton and Dawkins appeared to be the most logical explanation.
A motion was made to fund the request for the full $1000, pulling from budget line 1601 (Student Government General Activities and Project Funds). The motion was amended to include that a statement from the committee and SBO that were present be sent to all members of student government. The statement would help to explain the Ram Roast Situation and the committee’s decision. The amendment was accepted, and the motion seconded. Consent was called and objected to. The motion passed 3/0.
Since the requested funds ($1,000) for Ram Roast were matching funds for a SG co-sponsored event it was determined that the decision to fund the request did not require the approval of the entire senate. It would only need the approval of the Finance Committee. It was explicitly stated that the Treasurer does not have the authority to approve funds without consulting the Finance Committee.
The committee is aware that this decision overturns the previous Finance Committee decision. Witnesses (Rogers, Lipka), who attended the previous finance committee meeting, stated that the merits of the request were not discussed. The witnesses felt that the decision could have been driven by personal feelings not the merits of the request.
SCP Dawkins brought the committee up to date regarding the executive branch budget. He discussed the “Howlometer” and the current cost of the project. The project exceeded the predicted cost. ECE has donated $500 towards the project. The total cost of the project is $1,300. The executive branch had already committed $300 to the project. Dawkins and Ceresnak are requesting a total of $718 be given to the “Howlometer” project. The line item (1307) that the money would be removed from is for special projects. Both SBO felt that this was an important project for the university. The project was also a senior design project, both SBO felt that this was a example of SG supporting academics.
A motion was made to approve the funding, the motion was seconded. The funding was approved by a vote of 2/1.
SSP Rogers mention another funding request for pamphlets.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:15pm