SGA Update - 03/11/10

Members of the Student Government Association (SGA) committed $12,000 to expand Midnight Breakfast this spring at its meeting on March 7.

Based on high student attendance in the fall and positive feedback from the student body, the Student Government Association has decided to continue and expand Midnight Breakfast. For three nights during spring term finals, students, hungry and tired from studying, will be able to fuel up in the early hours of the morning. This one-night expansion will be funded by the SGA. Each night will cost $4,000.

The SGA also discussed the current state of the fitness center. Molly Dwyer ’10, student co-chair of Community Council, commented on the lack of maintenance of the exercise equipment available in the fitness center and the inconvenient hours of operation. During the week, the gym is open from 6 to 9 a.m., but then closes until noon. Although many faculty members use the gym during the early morning hours, Dwyer believes students would make more use of mid-morning gym time. Improved equipment and increased hours of operation would benefit all members of the College community, from professors to varsity athletes, she believes.

Jess Poracky ’13, a member of the Panthers’ varsity softball team, agrees that the current hours are not conducive to many students’ schedules.

“Many times, I am finished with classes before noon, and it would be so convenient to be able to go to the gym then,” Poracky said. “It would also be extremely helpful for the gym to open earlier on the weekends.”

Although the SGA has not decided what course of action it will take because funding for the gym is part of the tuition-based athletic facilities budget. SGA members agreed to appraise the situation to determine whether they can or should make any financial contributions to improve the situation. The SGA plans to contact Director of Athletics Erin Quinn to determine the next steps to be taken to provide new, functional equipment and more convenient hours of operation.

The body also discussed the SGA’s finances at the meeting. SGA President Mike Panzer ’10 reviewed the funds requested by various SGA Cabinet committees. Although final approval must come from SGA Treasurer Tom Brush ’10, the SGA agreed to the allocation of the funding, which Panzer described as “pre-apportioned budgets [that] will facilitate and expedite work that cabinet committees undertake.” The funds include $500 to the Environmental Committee to continue its efforts to increase environmental consciousness on campus, through table-top ads in the dining halls and through the continuation of campus sustainability tours. Additionally, $1,500 will be allocated to the Diversity Committee to help with the cost of hosting speakers and conducting workshops. The bike club will receive $1,500 as well. The money will come from the student activity fees fund. The Finance Committee also has agreed to pay in full the individual entry and registration fees for members of the cycling and equestrian clubs.