Alianza Latina, a club that focuses on Latino culture and identity, is seeking $4,600 to fund a new program titled “Closing Ceremony” for Latino Heritage Month. The club is inviting “Alex Torres & his Latin Orchestra” to the closing ceremony. Both the new program and the subsidy reallocation motion passed unanimously.
During questioning, graduate student and advisor to the President Matt Zapken asked Assistant Director of Student Activities Jayne Godette why the club had $1,000 set aside for hosting the group. Godette clarified that most of the money could go towards supporting Union Showtech, as the group required a lot of equipment.
Club representative Ava Gallagher ’23 proposed to amend the motion to add that $1,500 will be used for group hospitality and technical support. According to Gallagher, the clause will ensure that each budget allocation receives sufficient funding. Member Representative Nick Longchamp ’24 asked if the change was necessary, since the club had already formulated a cost breakdown. Gallagher responded that the clause was a “safety measure” and was open to dispute.
The amendment to the subsidy redistribution motion passed, with only Longchamp dissenting.
The Philippine American League is looking to create a new program titled “Filipino-American History Month” which includes a kickoff party, a basketball tournament and an official event. The club also proposed reallocating $750 to the new program. Both motions passed unanimously.
In reviewing the reallocation of subsidies, graduate student and Business Operations Committee Chair Brian Anderson noted that the club’s plan to cover “any additional costs” using the remaining funds was unclear. Anderson further added that Rensselaer Union Guidelines and Procedures prevented the reallocated funds from being used in the raffle, which was scheduled to be held during the formal event.
Club representative Jake Herman ’23 suggested that money raised from entry fees could be used to fund the raffle. In addition, Zapken said the decorations for the event should come out of the club’s support budget.
Herman called for a clause to be included that would provide an additional $50 from the club’s support budget for decorations, while funds for the raffle prize would be drawn from event entry fees. The amendment to the motion to reallocate subsidies passed unanimously.
The Korean Student Association is asking for $350 to fund a BBQ at Prospect Park on September 16th. The event is titled “Chu-seok” and can be considered as “Korean Thanksgiving”.
During the discussion, graduate student and Vice President for Board Operations Minh Nguyen pointed out that KSA already has a food allocation of about $600 in their budget and asked why the club was not using it. KSA President Sanghyun Kim ’24 responded that the club is planning to have events later this semester, and their current food budget was not enough to cover all the events.
Herman asked if the club had an alternative plan if they were unable to cook their own food due to the Institute’s food policy. Kim said the club would buy prepackaged food from K-Plate in Troy.
The motion to approve the $350 subsidy request passed unanimously.
The Rensselaer Music Association is seeking a waiver, as their club directors Bob Button and Joe “JB” Bonville have retired. Historically, RMA members paid dues to offset directors’ salaries; The retirement of both directors in June this year meant that the fees were no longer necessary.
Gallagher asked when the organization would expect a new director. RMA responded that the position was “definitely not going to be filled” this semester and the situation was “up in the air.” The motion to adjourn passed unanimously.
Catherine Philipps ’24 was named vice president of club relations. Gerald Osborne ’23 and Fiona Clarke ’23 were unanimously appointed to the Multicultural Leadership Council.
This Executive Board meeting was held on September 7. The Executive Board meets at the Shelnutt Gallery every Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
