Treasurer Ian Shin '06 discussed a potential constitutional issue regarding Circus. The senate had allocated money for the publication for a fall issue, but when the money was not used, it was returned to the discretionary fund.
However, the club released its publication in February and incurred related expenses. Circus now has no money with which to pay its bills. Many senators questioned the constitutionality of the senate's ability this semester to pay for an issue of the publication that was supposed to come out last semester.
Senator Dan Reiss '05 asked if it would be possible to allocate this semester's discretionary funds in order to cover the cost of the publication. Judiciary Council (JC) Chair Ryan Smith '07 explained that the solution is not that simple, because by calling the current issue a spring issue, the publication would not have a fall activity and therefore could be derecognized.
Shin noted that he had been in communication with the staff of the publication. "The JC decided that [regulations about when and how funds can be used] is in the constitution for a reason [and the publication] will have to face the financial repercussion," he said.
President Ryan Park disagreed. "The issues that Ian and Ryan are raising are compelling ... but our main goal is to get publications to students," he said. The general sentiment, however, was contrary to Park's opinion. "We need to stand our ground," said Senator Rob Cobbs '06. "Clubs don't feel the need to be responsible. I would be disinclined to give them discretionary funding."
Senator Justin Sharaf '05 asserted that the publication already has money budgeted for this semester which could be used, without infringing on the constitution, to pay the bill. This would, however, leave the publication with no funds to pay for the publication they intend to print later this semester and, consequently, would leave the publication with only one activity during two semesters, once again raising recognition issues.
Although Park continued to assert that "practical matters supersede budgetary matters," a motion to end discussion on the issue was raised and passed.
Senator Boris Bulayev '07 discussed a proposal, suggested by Dean of New Students Allen Hart, that would institute a TYPO-like program for first-years and their advisors. Like the TYPO program already in place, this would involve students going to dinner with their advisors; however, in contrast to the "Take Your Professor Out" program, this one would be initiated by the advisor rather than the student.
This program seeks to respond to the concern about a lack of communication between advisor and advisee and the general understanding that students ought to develop a rapport with their advisors as first-years. "Everyone is compelled to meet with his advisor in a social setting," said Bulayev.
Senator Anoop Menon '07 presented a proposal for funding upperclass TYPO X, which is for upperclass students, for the remainder of the semester. Typically, $10,500 would be allocated for sophomores, juniors and seniors to take their professors out to dinner. Since approximately half the semester has passed, Menon suggested that $5,000 be allocated for funding TYPO X. He stated that this amount was necessary because many students had indicated they wanted to be involved in this program.
Senators discussed whether the funding for TYPO X should come from the senate fund or the discretionary fund but ultimately decided to reserve the discretionary funding to finance clubs and organizations. After some debate over the amount of money necessary, the senate decided to allocate $5,000 from the senate fund. Menon was pleased with the senate's decision. "We can get TYPO going immediately," he said.
Finally, Shin talked about the Budgetary Committee's (BC) discussion about the Student Activities Fee. The BC decided that the fee does not have to be raised from the current rate of $197. After comparing the fee with several peer institutions, the BC discovered that the senate is operating with a larger fund for fewer students than most similar institutions.
Shin suggested that a set of procedures be implemented that would allow the treasurer to ensure that extra money is returned to the discretionary funds in a timely manner, thus assuaging fears that the senate could run out of discretionary funds in any given semester.
Lastly, senator Josh Stein '08 ran a straw poll to determine whether senators would be in favor of installing change machines in dorms, or at least in clusters of dorms, because the coin machine in Keefe Campus Center is currently broken and is inconvenient for many students and it is often out of order.