Student government officers awarded a co-sponsorship grant to the Saint Mary's Sociology Club and discussed the upcoming Dance Marathon at the Board of Governance (BOG) meeting Monday night.
Executive Treasurer Jillian Waters presented the co-sponsorship, submitted by members of the Saint Mary's Sociology Club and reviewed by the Student Academic Council (SAC). The original proposal requested $1,267 to help sponsor five seniors and one junior planning to attend the North Central Sociological Association Conference in Indianapolis, Ind. on March 25.
The five seniors will be presenting their senior comprehensive projects at the conference. Waters said SAC members granted $667 to the applicants, arguing they had not sought enough sources for funding.
"SAC felt there wasn't sufficient planning by the club or the girls who are going to warrant giving them [the total amount]," she said.
Student Diversity Board president and sociology club member Amanda Shropshire said in past years, student government has fully funded the expenses of the conference because attendees have not sought alternative avenues of funding previously.
"I heard from a couple of different girls on SAC that they felt the presentation was very poorly done and [that] people were not very nice [in general]," student body president Kellye Mitros said.
Residence Hall Association (RHA) president Jackie Wright moved to approve SAC's offer of $667, of the total $4,478 remaining in BOG's co-sponsorship accounts, which passed.
Following the vote, freshman class president Francesca Johnson gave an update on the Dance Marathon fundraiser. Sponsored by the freshman board and the RHA, the event will benefit Riley's Children Hospital in Indianapolis. Johnson said she and other board members spent hours compiling "dancer packets" to distribute to participants, which include liability wavers and donation request forms.
"I know it is [primarily] in case someone sprains their ankle, [we don't want them to sue]," Johnson said in reference to the liability forms.
Dancers will be asked to personalize letters to family and friends requesting sponsorship for their 12-hour participation in the April 21 event, Johnson said.
Johnson and Wright explained the marathon would involve more than just keeping on your feet. Johnson said children from the hospital will be present to share their stories, and guest bands will keep the dancers energized.
Johnson asked all board members to participate and said she hoped BOG would do more than just give money to the event.
"I wanted BOG to put together our own banner because I know we are going to have one from each residence hall," Johnson said. "Since BOG is funding it, I thought it would be nice to have a BOG banner."
In other BOG news:
u Student Activites Board is sponsoring a Spa Day today in the lower level of the Student Center from 7 p.m. to 10. Make-up and hair consultations are being offered as well as manicures. Sign up sheets are available in the Student Center Lobby.
u Student Activities Board president Jackie Write announced the Chicago-based performance group The Reduced Shakespeare Company will be on campus to perform "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the lower level of the Student Center.