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TechnographIllinois Student Senate rejects funding regional LGBT meeting
By Michael Logli
Posted: 11/14/07 Section: News
The Illinois Student Senate spent a majority of Wednesday night's meeting discussing an appropriation that would sponsor the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference by giving it $500.
After several failed attempts to negate the resolution or re-send it to the appropriations committee, the measure was defeated by an 13-11 vote.
The conference is an annual event that works to encourage and promote diversity, activism and network development and it features many prominent speakers, said Michael Allen, graduate student. Allen addressed the senate during public comment about the importance of the conference and the benefits of the senate's support. The conference is held at a different college campus each year and was last held at the University in 2001.
"It's all about networking and education and getting people excited about the upcoming election season," he said.
Graduate student and senator Dan Nugent agreed that the conference was a positive event but said that sponsoring it would go against the senate's by-laws, which state that the senate cannot appropriate money spent on entertainment purposes.
Nugent also said that sponsoring the event would force the student senate to support other causes or to alienate the interests of some students on campus.
"It's bad policy to support certain subjects and pick and choose who to fund," Nugent said. "It will just give us problems in the future."
Other senators argued that it was the senate's job to be progressive and encourage different views.
"It's a great opportunity for the University to get its name out there and be progressive," said Joseph Glenn, junior in LAS and senator.
After several failed attempts to negate the resolution or re-send it to the appropriations committee, the measure was defeated by an 13-11 vote.
The conference is an annual event that works to encourage and promote diversity, activism and network development and it features many prominent speakers, said Michael Allen, graduate student. Allen addressed the senate during public comment about the importance of the conference and the benefits of the senate's support. The conference is held at a different college campus each year and was last held at the University in 2001.
"It's all about networking and education and getting people excited about the upcoming election season," he said.
Graduate student and senator Dan Nugent agreed that the conference was a positive event but said that sponsoring it would go against the senate's by-laws, which state that the senate cannot appropriate money spent on entertainment purposes.
Nugent also said that sponsoring the event would force the student senate to support other causes or to alienate the interests of some students on campus.
"It's bad policy to support certain subjects and pick and choose who to fund," Nugent said. "It will just give us problems in the future."
Other senators argued that it was the senate's job to be progressive and encourage different views.
"It's a great opportunity for the University to get its name out there and be progressive," said Joseph Glenn, junior in LAS and senator.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Cassidy C Browning
posted 11/15/07 @ 8:56 AM CST
I wonder what other conferences who have applied for funding from the Student Senate have been turned down?
I am absolutely flabbergasted that Nugent referred to this conference as "entertainment" in order to legitimize the Senate's action. (Continued…)
Matt
posted 11/15/07 @ 1:41 PM CST
When Nugent says "alienating the interests of some students on campus" he means perpetuating the ignorant views towards the LGBT community.
I think it's time Nugent and the Student Senate get in touch with what the students really want. (Continued…)
Mary
posted 11/15/07 @ 4:32 PM CST
I once sat in a meeting of the Student Senate meeting. They approved the funding of creating pencils, frisbees, and other knick-knacks that had the Student Senate logo written on them, in an attempt to promote their organization. (Continued…)
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