The AUSA Senate heard petitions at its meeting last week by 16 campus organizations for additional funding to be used for events and trips.

The following clubs petitioned: SHOQ, DU Pride, Students for Positive Social Change, Colorado Asian Pacific Student Alliance, the Asian Student Union, HRTM Society, Alpine Club, Korean Student Organization, College Against Cancer, Black Student Alliance, Latino Multicultural Alliance, Society of Physics Students, Club Sports, I-Team, DU Francoscope, ISMS and DU Off-Road.

The requests ranged from $500 to $1,000. Groups cited growing membership, a desire to have more fun and the need to cover administrative costs as reasons for having a larger budget than their original allocation.

DU Francoscope, the I-Team and the Alpine Club requested several thousand dollars to be able to bring large and important events to club members and to the campus community.

Representatives of the Alpine Club, which is DU’s largest club, said the club’s budget has not grown with the size of the club.

They said that more funding would enable the club to offer more trips and new outings that would match those offered by other organizations.

Some groups said their original grants were too small and they need the extra funding to get their club on its feet.

Senators generally asked about additional resources the clubs may have access to, both on campus and in the community. Senators also proposed a variety of fundraising efforts for groups that were not satisfied with their original allocations.

The Senate went into executive session to discuss its budget after hearing the proposals.

The meeting also included a brief roundup of other campus affairs. Most notably, AUSA Senate election campaigns begin April 25 and voting is May 2-4. The elections are to be held online during designated times only to discourage poor voter turnout.

There are also concerts coming to Magness Arena this spring, and students may be eligible for a discount to some when they purchase tickets at the box office.

For spring finals, Sen. Lauren Goldman worked with library staff to get the library hours extended in the morning for students who would like to study early. Penrose Library is now scheduled to open at 7 a.m. during finals week.

The Senate also passed Bill 12-A to foster the relationship between DU students and their neighbors. Details about an event are to be determined.