It’s over.

After four drawn-out weeks of student group funding appeals, the Associated Student Government completed the spring funding cycle at Wednesday’s meeting by denying the Asian American Advisory Board’s request for an additional $1,500.

Senators also prepared for next year’s funding process by electing seven students to the Student Activities Finance Board.

AAAB asked for the money in a re-appeal after losing its initial request for increased funds for a winter speaker three weeks ago by a vote of 26-27.

With about $16,600 left in the Senate amendment pool, AAAB members said they thought they stood a decent chance of winning the re-appeal. But senators voted 24-26 against allocating funds. There were two abstentions.

AAAB Chairwoman Marie Claire Tran said she was frustrated that her group came so close both times to receiving funding.

“There was more than $16,000 left,” said Tran, a Weinberg junior. “Not to be greedy, but students groups have a right to that money.”

But ASG Financial Vice President Carson Kuo told senators to vote against funding AAAB and to abide by the traditional funding process of giving each student group equal time for appeals.

“Giving AAAB this money sends a message to student groups that we care about this one group more than (others),” said Kuo, an Education junior. “Can anybody explain why this group deserves extra consideration over other groups?”

After the AAAB reappeal was denied, Kuo and SAFB said they were happy to see a “successful” funding cycle come to an end.

“I was a bit surprised that funding lasted four weeks, but in the end it was a good cycle,” Kuo said. “The process was made so long because of better representation. Senators went back and talked (to) their constituents.”

But Christy Sommers, a senator from 600 Lincoln St., said she had no idea the funding cycle would last as long as it did.

“I heard a lot of people say it would be a long two meetings,” said Sommers, a Weinberg freshman. “Now that it’s over, I realize it was a long four meetings.”

Sommers also said she was concerned that only four pieces of legislation reached the Senate floor during the last four weeks.

“It is unfortunate that everyone is so focused on funding, but it is a necessary evil,” she said. “But there are other issues happening on campus besides funding that were not addressed.”

But Chapin Hall Sen. Ben Cherry said the extended process was a “testament” to the seriousness with which Senate and SAFB approached spring funding.

“I have more respect now for SAFB than I ever imagined,” said Cherry, a Weinberg freshman. “They really showed they know their stuff.”

As one funding cycle came to an end, Senate began preparing for next year by electing new SAFB account executives.

Sens. Kelly Meissner, Eric Gretch and Osman Khan were selected and Sol Betancourt, Sadiya Farooqui, J.D. Robertson and Erica Williamson were chosen as non-senator members. Both Khan and Betancourt have served on SAFB for the past two years.

Kuo said he was pleased with the Senate’s choices.

“It looks like SAFB will have very qualified and dedicated people for next year,” Kuo said. “I’m looking forward to working with them.”

Also at the meeting, ASG’s Executive Board presented the Students First Initiative, a new proposal aimed at making ASG more accessible to the everyday Northwestern student.

Speaker of the Senate Bassel Korkor said ASG will begin collecting student input through a new Web site called ASGinteractive and by setting up tables outside The Rock and the Technological Institute next week.

“ASG will go to the students instead of students going to ASG,” said Korkor, a Weinberg sophomore. “We want to use student ideas and complaints to compile useful legislation.”

Senate also introduced four new bills at the meeting calling for:

_Ѣ an environmental science minor for students interested in the policy side of environment

_Ѣ CTEC information for teaching assistants

_Ѣ new guidelines giving students more leeway in their meal plan contracts

_Ѣ reinstating the Bonus Bucks donation program, where unused Bonus Bucks can be given to charitable organizations at the end of the quarter.