In a marathon session Wednesday night the Associated Student Government Senate allocated supplemental funds to student groups for the 2004-05 school year.
Senators debated whether funding recommendations from the Student Activities Finance Board should be accepted while hearing appeals from nine student groups.
“This is the most participation that I’ve seen (by Senate),” said Zaid Pardesi, SAFB chairman.
Mayfest, the group that sponsors Dillo Day, received $4,000 more than recommended and Niteskool, a group that brings Chicago-area bands to campus, received an extra $500.
“Dillo Day is one of the very few events aimed at all students,” said Stephanie Rich, a Medill senior, in a speech to the Senate. “It’s something that really brings the campus together.”
Mayfest will receive a total of $11,500 for its spring event.
Saira Khan, president of Niteskool, left the Northwestern rooms in Norris University Center smiling after her group received $2,695.
“We’re a small organization (so) any amount of money that can be given to Niteskool is money that is going to be resourcefully spent and much appreciated,” said Khan, a Weinberg junior. “We’re very happy.”
One of the longest debates surrounded senators’ decision that College Republicans and College Democrats do not need to receive the same amount of funding. College Democrats was awarded $16,288 and College Republicans received nothing.
College Republicans Sen. Rich Bill had requested a supplement of $3,500 for a spring speaker and argued that funding should be “equitably distributed between opposing groups.” The Senate denied the request based on SAFB guidelines which state that groups are to be awarded money based on attendance and merit.
“We’re looking to compare their performance,” said Veronica Tong, a Shepard Residential College senator and a Weinberg sophomore. “It’s simple. It’s not a political question.”
The Muslim-cultural Students Association’s fall event that brought Paul Findley to NU factored into a debate about cutting all funding from the group and its alliance with two other Asian cultural groups to host a spring comedian. The Findley event upset several groups who said the former congressman’s comments were inappropriate.
“This was anti-Israel, anti-Jewish and anti-Northwestern,” said Hillel Cultural Life Sen. Jill Sager.
Senate also passed the following bills:
to lobby for two pre-health advisors and more resources for pre-health students, and
to support a pilot mentorship program between undergraduate and graduate students.
Reach Alexis Crawford at [email protected] and Helena Oh at [email protected].