Student Senate debates ballot referenda, allocation of funds

Several government and financial bills were passed at the Student Senate meeting on Wednesday to allocate funds to student groups as well as make changes to the spring general election ballots and Intent to Run forms.

Sarah Wright, student support services academic coach with TRiO Programs, came to the Senate meeting to discuss the issue of housing and food insecurity on campus and the necessity of spreading awareness and taking more action to combat the issue.

New senators were also appointed into their roles at the Senate meeting.

Hannah Stoltz, a first-year studying fashion and textile management, representing Wilson College of Textiles

Emily Waddell, a second-year studying political science, representing the College of Humanities and Social Sciences

James Cahoon, a fourth-year studying biomedical and health sciences engineering, representing the College of Engineering

Erika Ludwick, a second-year studying animal science, representing the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Bryce Safrit, a graduate student pursuing industrial engineering, representing first year graduate students

Five bills were fast-tracked for second reading and were passed at the meeting on Wednesday evening:

Non-Binding Referenda Spring 2019 Act

The government bill calls for referenda on the questions that will be on the ballot for the upcoming spring general election. Members of the student body have the opportunity to vote for a student body president and student body vice president on a joint ticket, Student Senate president and student body treasurer, student Senators and a handful of additional student leaders.

The referenda would appear on the ballot and allow the student body to vote on five different NC State traditions that would appear or be removed from the Brick mobile app and the Tradition Keeper medal program.

An amendment was submitted to include an abstain option on the referendum and will not count in the overall vote totals in the winning of the majority. An additional amendment was also enacted that changed the wording of the referenda to make the questions more clear to the student body. The bill passed in a 55-0-2 vote.

Wolf de Nahkre Act

This finance bill that was fast-tracked asked to allocate funds to the Wolf de Nahkre Bhangra dance team, which is planning on attending and participating in two competitions, one in Chapel Hill and the other in Kentucky. In the 96th Student Senate session, $1,100 was funded to the organization. Currently, the team generates a total revenue of $4100 and expense of $2100. Student Senate allocated $750 to the dance team after a 30-24-1 vote.

Delta Zeta Sexual Assault Awareness Act

Delta Zeta Sorority, a member of the Panhellenic Council at NC State, plans to host an on-campus event to bring awareness about sexual assault and the impact everyday language can have on the subject of sexual assault. The cost of the speaker is $3,800, and the rental fee of Witherspoon is $200. Student Senate allocated $2,000 to Delta Zeta for their event in a 52-0-3 vote. Delta Zeta Sorority and the Interfraternity Council pledged to match the amount Student Government has funded. The sexual assault awareness event is to be open to all members of NC State.

Intent to Run Reform Act

This government bill called for the action for Intent to Run forms to revert back to the forms used in fall 2018. The current form would require students running for a student body officer (SBO) position to:

Devote a minimum of 10 hours per week to Student Government

Hold at least five regularly scheduled office hours per week

Become familiar with and abide by the Student Government Constitution and Statues

Adhere to all university policies, procedures, regulations and guidelines, including when they are in conflict with the Student Government Constitution or Statutes

The changes were not publicized to members of the Committee on Government Relations and Oversight. Student Senate or the Student Body prior to books opening on Feb. 4.

According to Lee Daniel, a third-year studying biology and commissioner in the Student Government Board of Elections, the requirements that were on the Intent to Run form were on a form the BOE has not seen that stipulates a weekly rundown of what the SBO positions entail. The Student Government Advisor, Brian Garsh, must submit this form to the university’s finance and Human Resource offices.

Daniel explained to Senate that the form has existed in previous semesters, and all five of the SBOs are held liable to the said form. However, according to Student Senate President Adam Schmidt, a third-year studying civil engineering, the BOE asked Garsh to procure a blank version of the form on Tuesday night and has not received or assessed it yet.

On Feb. 5, the Board voted to revert back to using the form that was used in the fall 2018 election. Any student who submitted an Intent to Run form prior to 9 p.m. on Feb 5. does not need to submit a new form and will only be held accountable to the requirements in the fall 2018 form. The bill passed on a 52-0-0 vote.

Spend Down the Budget Act

According to Sen. Chris Poteat, a Ph.D. student in chemistry, there is a probable chance that at the end of this session, Student Senate will be unable to rollover unused Student Government funds to the upcoming session. In light of this, the Finance Committee decided to allocate funds to the spring 2019 appropriations line.

According to the bill, the Student Government finance disbursement line contains $10,421, and the social justice mini-grant line contains approximately $1,400 with only three meetings left in the 98th session. The fall 2018 appropriations cycle contained requests from student organizations totaling $232,449 with $77,500 in allocation funds. Currently, all remaining funds at the end of the 98th Session will be placed in the mandated reserve, but Student Senate proposed to move $5,421 and $800 from the two line items to the spring 2019 appropriations line. The bill passed 53-0-0.