A.S. Meeting #1 — May, 4
Public Input
The Rotoract Club announced that it will be hosting a fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association called “Kiss the Pig.” The fundraiser will culminate on May 18 when participants will have to kiss a live pig, with the number of kisses determined by the amount of money raised.
Former Thurgood Marshall College Senior Senator Kate Maull announced that Teach for America will be holding an information session on May 11 at 5 p.m. The program allows recent college graduates to teach for two years in low-income schools.
Items of Immediate Consideration
Item A
The council allocated $1,000 to the president’s office to pay for a new computer.
Item B
Eleanor Roosevelt College Senior Senator Ashton Iranfar was elected as president pro tempore, meaning that he will serve as the chair of A.S. Council meetings in the event of the absence of Vice President Internal Angela Fornero.
Reports
Commissioner of Academic Affairs Harry Khanna
Khanna reported that the Academic Senate Committe on Admissions is discussing an Admissions by Exception program that would allow students that don’t meet UC eligibility requirements to recieve special consideration. High school principals would be allotted a certain number of recommendations that would allow the students to be admitted and allow principals to earn additional recommendations if their students demonstrate academic excellence in college.
Council Caucus
The council discussed the upcoming 2005-06 A.S. budget. A.S. President Christopher Sweeten told the council that it will have almost $100,000 less to allocate than the 2004-05 school year. In addition, the council will face increased contributions to the United States Student Association, which has threatened to freeze UCSD’s voting privileges in response to the council’s outstanding debt. He also reported that the costs of A.S. services are projected to increase next year.
Councilmembers suggested that the lack of voting privileges might not impact the national student organization, which lobbies legislators in Washington, D.C. Vice President External Kevin Mann said that the funds need to be paid to USSA in order for the group to effectively advocate on behalf of student interests.
Based on the projected costs, Sweeten said that the cabinet suggested cuts to all budget items in order to minimize the losses to any one program, including A.S. stipends. ERC Junior Senator Bryce Murray said that he supports the complete elimination of A.S. stipends, which cost the council approximately $36,000 in the 2004-05 school year.
