Students Approve $1,150 for Club to Attend Conference

Managing Editor

Photo by Susan Harmon

Decision - SAB President Michael Reynolds II listens as students debate on giving the P.E. and Exercise Science Major's Club $2,000 to attend their national conference. SAB approved $1,150 to pay for registration and half of the club's hotel expenses.

   The Student Activities Board discussed the Physical Education and Exercise Science Major’s Club’s request for $3,000 to attend their national conference in its meeting Feb. 24.

   P.E. and Exercise Science Major’s Club President Kate Kelley requested $3,000 at the last SAB meeting for the club to attend its national conference in Tampa, Fla., but after renegotiating prices, requested $2,000.

   According to Kelley, the club made around $1,000 on the wooden roses it sold around Valentine's Day. She said the club plans to have a softball tournament to raise more money.

   "We have 6 teams committed right now, so that’s $750 because we are charging $125 per team,” Kelley said.

   Kelley said she planned for more teams to join, which gives the P.E. and Exercise Science Major’s Club over $1,000 from the softball tournament. She said with the extra money the club raises, if the club goes over the total cost, then the money comes back to SAB.

   Ron Forte, a sophomore psychology major, asked how much the registration costs.

   Kelley said registration costs $50 per student to attend the national conference with seven students and one administrator planning to attend.

   “With going to the conference, it’s going to help to get our higher education department reaccredited and that’s something we really need on this campus,” Tiffany Reed, a first-year early childhood education major, said.

   Forte said he felt Kelley neglected to provide enough details.

   Kelley said the P.E. and Exercise Science Major’s Club plans to get cheaper housing and cut as many costs as possible. She said the previous number for housing cost $1,500. The club found cheaper housing, but it won’t let them in until Tuesday and they must leave Thursday the week of the conference.

   “It is very important for us to get this chance to go and that’s why we need just some help. If we want to renegotiate the $2,000 then that’s fine, but we do need some help,” Kelley said.

   SAB President Michael Reynolds II said he met with Clay Brown, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, who pointed out SAB shouldn't be giving money to small groups.

   “The money we provide is for the students and everything provided that you have right here is not including the student body, it’s including the education program,” Reynolds said.

   Eric Bell, a senior political science major, asked the difference between giving the SAB money to stay in Atlanta, Ga. for an activity convention and giving the P.E and Exercise Science Major’s Club money to attend their national conference.

   Reynolds said the difference is SAB is going to Atlanta to get more activities to come to campus.

   “Without accreditation, we won’t be able to certify teachers,” Kelley said.

   SAB approved to give the P.E. and Exercise Club Major’s Club $1,150 for registration and half of the hotel expenses.

   At the last meeting, the SAB tabled voting on giving Nikki Walker $325 to present her paper,“Comparing the Occurrence of Physical Aggression in Kindergarten Children to the Occurrence of Physical Aggression in Third-Grade Children,” at the Southern Sociology Society National Conference in New Orleans, La. in April.

   Tucker said the university can’t give students money to go to a conference.

   “The Board (Walker) is going to be on has students from Harvard, students from Yale that are going to be right there on the panel,” Tucker said.

   Forte suggested paying for the registration and half the hotel expenses.

   Thomas said SAB never set a precedent to give money to an individual.

   “It’s $325, which is not much, but it’s still the student’s money,” Thomas said.

   SAB voted against giving money to Walker to help her attend the academic conference.

   Tucker said the Student Activities Committee plans to have a Spring Fling dance. He requested $600 for decorations, finger foods and a mocktail bar. SAB approved the request.

   Jonathan Greenlee, representative for the Greek Council, requested $100 to purchase trophies for “Sorority of the Year” and “Fraternity of the Year.” SAB tabled voting on the $100 for trophies until Greenlee provides more information.

   Student Government Association President Michael Thomas requested $2,000 for “Pack the Pit” T-shirts and gift cards for the last basketball home games held Feb. 28. SAB approved Thomas's request.

   The next SAB meeting scheduled for Tuesday has been canceled. For more information about SAB, contact Mindy Holcomb, director of Student Programs and Activities, at 460-1396 or Holcomb@uamont.edu.

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