New members sworn in, 18 clubs funded at Sept. 27 USG meeting

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St. Thomas Undergraduate Student Government approved funding for 18 clubs, swore in new members and discussed special elections at its Sept. 27 general council meeting.

Rachel Harris, director of finance and planning for student affairs, presented  a new tuition payment model for future students at St. Thomas.

At last weekend’s retreat, USG decided on four initiatives to work on for this school year – academics, diversity and inclusion, engagement and student well-being – and a new slogan, “Your Voice. Our Mission.”

Starting after the next general council meeting, USG general council members will write blog updates on TommieLink about what they’re working on as it relates to their position. This is a new system of accountability, as St. Thomas students will be able to view these blogs and ask any questions they may have.

An Out State Senator Position was discussed. The new proposed position would work closely with the student affairs department in identifying the needs of out state students.

USG approved nine changes to its bylaws, including making the director of the Anderson Student Center an adviser to USG.

Special Elections

USG is looking to fill positions of Senior Class Senator, Junior Class Senator, Transfer Senator, Residential Senator, Neighborhood Senator and Legislative Affairs Senator.

Election packets are available in the Campus Life office and are due at 12 p.m. Oct. 10. Candidates will attend the Oct. 11 General Council meeting and present their statements. USG general council members will vote via paper ballot.

Funding

Internal funding requests will now be approved by the finance committee, prior to USG general council meetings. The committee approved 15 requests:

Tommie Strength – $2,016

ANSA- $714

SWE- $1,869

Campus Outreach- $1,190

SCOM- $480

EQS- $798

Theater Club- $5,838

SHRM- $1,428

TECM- $1,974

PHP- $3,318

CMA- $735

Sustainability Club- $2,430

ASIA- $1,890

HESC- $2,478

HUSA- $1,008

In campus wide funding requests, USG approved $750 for HUSA’s Karaoke Night.

In conference and competition funding requests, USG approved $2,500 Society of Women Engineers’ SWE National Conference, $2,000 for Hockey Club and $2,500 for Gamma Iota Sigma’s GIS International Conference.

Samantha HoangLong can be reached at hoan1058@stthomas.edu.