Spring Break
Conference bill passed as emergency legislation
Some senators say IBHE-SAC waste of time
Bob Bajek / Student Government Editor
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: News
The Illinois Board of Higher Education senate bill was passed as emergency legislation by the Student Senate 20-4-0 during Wednesday's Student Senate meeting.
The bill amounts to $700.90, which was cut by $42 after discussion.
The conference will be held this weekend at Judson University in Elgin.
Eric Wilber, student executive vice president, apologized to the senate for a mistake in reservations at an Elgin hotel.
Wilber booked two hotel rooms for four Student Government members to place males and female in separate rooms.
Olivia Brauer was the lone female going to the conference. However, Wilber said Brauer resigned from the senate two weeks ago.
"The university did an advance payment to the hotel," Wilber said. "We will try to get reimbursed for that room."
Some senators demonstrated concern for spending more than $700 for the conference.
Student Senate member Chris Kromphardt relayed his experience from the Oct. 4 and 5 IBHE-SAC conference at Harold Washington College in Chicago.
"The conference is a joke," Kromphardt said. "I did nothing that helped the students. I can't, in good conscience, vote to spend $700 on it."
Wilber told Kromphardt that the members going to this weekend's conference will address concerns of effectiveness to the assembled body.
The assembled members will vote for two co-chairs, a vice chair and a secretary for the 2009-10 academic year. This is the senate's first year with co-chairs.
Student Senate member Isaac Sandidge said he agrees that IBHE-SAC has its problems, yet he urged his colleagues to be proactive.
"Obviously, improvements are needed, but we need to keep sending representatives there to have a voice," Sandidge said.
Student Body President Levi Bulgar told the senate IBHE-SAC is in a power struggle, but the Student Senate could help build up the group.
Student Senate member Jason Sandidge said IBHE-SAC is a noble venture to pay for. He told the senate he disagrees with the $7,000 spent on sending five students to the Conference on Student Government Associations at Texas A&M last month because other senators said the trip was "essentially a vacation."
In other business, Wilber said Senate Bill 2009 for funding the Renewable Energy Center was up for a third reading and a vote. The bill needs to pass by Friday.
Wilber said the "stimulus czar" Jack Lavin met with Eastern's administration, but Lavin said there will be no stimulus money for the center.
"If this senate bill doesn't pass, we will have to foot the bill, which isn't fun," Wilber said.
The diversity involvement requirement was tabled, along with the budgets for Apportionment Board, Student Recreation Center, University Board and Student Government.
Tiffany Turner, student vice president for business affairs, said the AB's budget is actually $24,413, which is $100 more than she initially calculated.
Bob Bajek can be reached at 581-7942 or at rtbajek@eiu.edu.
The bill amounts to $700.90, which was cut by $42 after discussion.
The conference will be held this weekend at Judson University in Elgin.
Eric Wilber, student executive vice president, apologized to the senate for a mistake in reservations at an Elgin hotel.
Wilber booked two hotel rooms for four Student Government members to place males and female in separate rooms.
Olivia Brauer was the lone female going to the conference. However, Wilber said Brauer resigned from the senate two weeks ago.
"The university did an advance payment to the hotel," Wilber said. "We will try to get reimbursed for that room."
Some senators demonstrated concern for spending more than $700 for the conference.
Student Senate member Chris Kromphardt relayed his experience from the Oct. 4 and 5 IBHE-SAC conference at Harold Washington College in Chicago.
"The conference is a joke," Kromphardt said. "I did nothing that helped the students. I can't, in good conscience, vote to spend $700 on it."
Wilber told Kromphardt that the members going to this weekend's conference will address concerns of effectiveness to the assembled body.
The assembled members will vote for two co-chairs, a vice chair and a secretary for the 2009-10 academic year. This is the senate's first year with co-chairs.
Student Senate member Isaac Sandidge said he agrees that IBHE-SAC has its problems, yet he urged his colleagues to be proactive.
"Obviously, improvements are needed, but we need to keep sending representatives there to have a voice," Sandidge said.
Student Body President Levi Bulgar told the senate IBHE-SAC is in a power struggle, but the Student Senate could help build up the group.
Student Senate member Jason Sandidge said IBHE-SAC is a noble venture to pay for. He told the senate he disagrees with the $7,000 spent on sending five students to the Conference on Student Government Associations at Texas A&M last month because other senators said the trip was "essentially a vacation."
In other business, Wilber said Senate Bill 2009 for funding the Renewable Energy Center was up for a third reading and a vote. The bill needs to pass by Friday.
Wilber said the "stimulus czar" Jack Lavin met with Eastern's administration, but Lavin said there will be no stimulus money for the center.
"If this senate bill doesn't pass, we will have to foot the bill, which isn't fun," Wilber said.
The diversity involvement requirement was tabled, along with the budgets for Apportionment Board, Student Recreation Center, University Board and Student Government.
Tiffany Turner, student vice president for business affairs, said the AB's budget is actually $24,413, which is $100 more than she initially calculated.
Bob Bajek can be reached at 581-7942 or at rtbajek@eiu.edu.
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