The 2018-2019 Undergraduate Student Senate met and conducted business for the last time on Tuesday, Apr. 30. The senators faced a packed docket with a Collaboration Fund request from the International Student Organization (ISO), the Pacific Islander Alliance and the English Language Center; an Internal Fund request; the 2019-2020 budget and four constitutional amendments. Also in attendance were the newly elected senators for the 2019-2020 session who were there to observe their predecessors at work.
First up was the ISO and PIA who requested $1,000 to help fund their Hawaiian Global Cafe on May 7. The request passed and the Senate moved onto an internal funding request from junior senator and Vice President-elect Sophia Gonzalez-Mayagoitia who requested $1,135 for a women’s health fair occuring the week of May 13, which is National Women’s Health Week. The events are intended to raise awareness of women’s health issues and address the “many misconceptions about this topic,” according to her funding application.
After passing Gonzalez-Mayagoitia’s funding request by unanimous consent, Finance Committee Chairwoman Natasha Crawford introduced the proposed 2019-2020 budget and answered questions from other senators. One issue of particular contention was the shrinking of the Internationalization Committee’s budget and the specific line-item fund for Culture Fest.
Despite some questions, the Senate voted 17-1 in favor of the budget, ensuring that funding will be able to flow to the proper student groups beginning June 1. Only Chairwoman Brianna Makumbi of the Finance Committee voted no over the decrease in funding for her committee.
Next on the docket was the first of three amendments sponsored by Pro-Tempore and President-elect Matt Walter. Because of a recent change to the Constitution, all constitutional amendments must be read in full and automatically tabled for a week. After a full reading by Senator Grace Rooney, Senior Senator JJ Khan motioned to adjourn to allow for a Transitions Committee presentation. The Senate adjourned leaving all four constitutional amendments to die with the end of the current Senate calendar.
These amendments are likely to be re-introduced by the newly sworn-in the vice president and On-Campus Senator Marshall Marrs after the new USG begins its session in Week 8.
