By Kassondra Granata
The Student Government Association ended its meeting early last week after allocating $700 to provide transportation for students to continue their rally at the State Capitol on the tuition hikes, agreeing with a co-sponsorship with the Ebony Choral Ensemble and allocating $500 to the CCSU-AAUP Communication Committee.
Sen. Bobby Berriault made a motion to provide transportation and snacks for the rally at the state capitol. On April 16, the senate plans on taking over 100 students, according to Berriault. Berriault proposed $700 for three yellow school buses, $50 for bottled water and $75 for snacks.
“I want to support this rally us much as I can. We are asking you guys to help CCSU students go to the rally,” said Berriault. “Whether or not you want to go to the rally there are students who want to go.”
Sen. Ryan Baldassario moved to amend the motion to strike out the allocation of water and snacks. It passed with 22 yes-votes and seven no-votes. The allocation of $700 towards school buses passed with 25 yes-votes, three no-votes and four abstentions.
Sen. Bobby Berriault motioned to accept the Ebony Choral Ensemble’s co-sponsorship request with $400 for food, $300 for the band and $50 for a fee for the director. The club plans to host its annual show in a few weeks.
Treasurer Nick Alaimo was against the motion because the club sent its request past the March 1 deadline.
“Just to be consistent, I don’t feel that this is appropriate. I wouldn’t mind if it passed either way,” Alaimo said. “If we do vote yes, we must be consistent and allow other organizations to send co-sponsorship requests past deadline to the table.”
Sen. Matt Hubbard motioned to amend Berriault’s motion by striking $400 for the cost of food and $50 for the director’s cost.
“I think the $300 seems to be the necessary amount to put on the show, but the other amounts can go,” said Hubbard. Hubbard said that he did not think the amount is the problem, but because it is after deadline, the senate needs to follow its own rules. “Under principle, we should strike out what is unnecessary and keep what can help them put on the show.”
Sen. Baldassario said he was against the amendment.
“If we are going to give them any money at all, we should give it to them in full,” he said. Sen. Berriault agreed and said that the $50 is crucial for the club needs to pay the director.
The amendment failed. The motion eventually passed in full with 21 yes-votes and 12 no-votes.
Sen. Alex Lee motioned to allocate $500 to the CCSU- AAUP Communication Committee to support their public education conference titled “Defending Public Education: Cradle to College.” The conference will be held on April 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Vance Academic Center.
Treasurer Alaimo said that he does not find the request appropriate and is against the motion. Sen. Berriault disagreed.
“I think this is a good event to support. It is a good idea for us to help support the conference,” said Berriault.
The motion passed with 17 yes-votes, six no-votes and six abstentions.