Associated Student Government senators voted Wednesday to pass the 2005-06 ASG Operating Budget.
ASG Treasurer John J. Hughes III addressed senators about the different line items of the approved $81,600 budget.
“This is the lowest budget proposed in four years,” said Hughes, a Weinberg senior and former Daily Forum editor.
Senators also passed a special order creating an ad hoc committee to review the actions and practices of ASG. The committee will hold open meetings.
Another item that received attention was the lawyer service provided by ASG.
The budget will allocate $36,300 to the lawyer, a $7,050 increase from this year.
“The usage of the lawyer has increased substantially,” Hughes said. “She is booked up solidly every single day.”
Senators also unanimously approved legislation calling on administrators to increase funds allocated to improving accessibility in university buildings.
“We need help to get funding for a new elevator in Swift Hall,” said Daniel Ellman, Medill senior and co-author of the bill. “The elevator is woefully inadequate.”
Ellman added he is “excited to see that students want to make this campus accessible for everyone.”
“It’s a review of current senate practices with the hope that we can improve efficiency, community and effectiveness,” said ASG president Jane Lee, a Weinberg senior.
In new business presented at the meeting, one proposed bill called for Northwestern to increase funding for club sports.
“(NU) hasn’t been allocating the money because they didn’t know it was an issue,” said bill co-author and Student Services Vice President Alex Lurie, a Communication junior.
Five other co-authors made speeches to senators, explaining why they wrote the bill.
“We don’t even receive funds from the university to pay for our equipment,” said Seth Meyer, co-president of the cycling team.
Meyer, a Weinberg freshman, said the cycling team has had to ask for sponsorship from businesses in Evanston because of low funding.
Other new business presented Wednesday included legislation proposing a forum to increase communication between universities in the Chicago area through a message board.
Some of the discussions on the board could be about student government at other schools, senators noted.
Another proposed bill calls for a poll where students can provide input about the upcoming Evanston aldermanic elections.
Reach Jason Prager at [email protected].
