Saint Mary's Student Government Association (SGA) convened for its first meeting of the semester Wednesday, reviewing finance policies and documents and discussing Heritage Week events.
Treasurer Meg Griffin gave a report of SGA' s monetary allocations that cover club expenses that fund campus wide events or are travel related. During her report, Griffin said SGA has granted a total of 19 allocations as of the end of the fall semester, 11 of which were campus-programming sponsorships and eight of which were travel grants.
As determined by SGA, campus programming refers to an event or activity that is open to the entire campus and has a potential to require more funding than regular club events. Travel grants are given to clubs to travel representing their Saint Mary's College club or organization as a group or team.
"Last semester there was $68,240 designated for SGA sponsorships," Griffin said. "Last semester $23,889 was spent, so there is still quite a bit available for this semester."
Along the lines of finances, Griffin gave a brief refresher seminar on finance policies and documents including the different financial responsibilities of the Office of Student Involvement and those of SGA.
SGA is able to help clubs and organizations with the sponsorship process, the uses of funds from a sponsorship, club storage, cash boxes, meeting space in the SGA office and craft supplies.
Griffin also noted issues that had arisen with paperwork in the past to request for SGA funding, specifically the critical information that is frequently left blank on the forms — documentation of all costs and the itinerary for travel grants.
"All of the forms are available for downloading on the SGA website," Griffin said.
In addition to finances, SGA members discussed Heritage Week events that start this coming Sunday with Mass in both LeMans and Regina at the usual designated times, both followed by a small reception. Heritage Week is an annual celebration of Saint Mary's traditions.
Chief of Staff Kelly Zenere outlined the week's events and urged SGA members to sign up to work at the various events.
"Heritage Week is the biggest SGA event of the year," Zenere said.
Zenere placed special emphasis on the s'mores and Meet and Greet with the Sisters of the Holy Cross at the convent, taking place on Friday.
"The nuns are all very excited," she said.
