At Guilford, each traditional student pays $165 a semester in student activity fees. This year student activity fees amounted to $100,000, making up Community Senate’s budget. At the end of each year, Senate allocates some of their budget towards Guilford’s 41 clubs. The rest of the money is allotted for projects that students propose throughout the year, usually for service trips and on-campus events.
These proposals are generally debated for two weeks, allowing time for representatives to talk with their constituencies and develop an idea of whether or not students support the projects being funded with their money.
“It is the duty of all senators to represent the views of their constituents,” said Senate Vice President Dana Ayed. “It is the job of all senators to carry this on their shoulders. Everyone is entitled to know where their money is going.”
However, there has been some debate within Senate regarding how to best represent the interests of the entire student body when voting on proposals.
Former CAB Representative Trevor Corning proposed the passage of a Senator Responsibility Act to hold senators accountable for talking to their constituents. This act would force 10 percent of each representative’s constituency to sign an agreement saying they were informed-regardless of whether their constituency is a small club or Milner dorm.
When Corning brought his proposal before the steering committee, it was put aside.
Most representatives said they talk to their constituencies about the more contentious issues, but overall felt that most students do not care about the day-to-day proposals addressed on Wednesday nights.
Some stressed the importance of the responsibility of student initiative in the decision-making processes.
“It’s a two-way street,” said Community and Student Concerns Chair Chris Pugliese. “While it’s important for senators to go around and talk to their constituents, constituents can go to Senate and participate actively in the process. People complain, but only one-third of students voted when electing the executive board last year. People are complaining but not participating in the system.”
According to a recent Guilfordian survey of 100 randomly selected students, four percent said that they have been consulted by their Senate representative before they vote on proposals. The other 96 percent answered that either they had never been consulted by their Senate representative or were unaware that they had a Community Senate representative.
Some senators believe they should try to actively seek more opinions.
“When I became social clubs representative I hounded people,” said JD Slatta co-chair of Inter-Club Council. “I sent e-mails and Facebook messages. I said there are things getting done at Guilford, when can we meet?”
Though senate recognizes accountability and student input are important issues, other fundamental concerns surround their Wednesday night meetings, such as requests for funding. Some senators worry that too much money is being used for personal trips rather than projects that will benefit the entire community.
“Senate should be more about policy. It should be a lot more about policy, not a student piggy bank,” said Lashley. “We could be using that money to clean up the lake or build a bike shelter. We’re not living up to our full potential.”
Guilford’s financial problems, resulting in budget cuts and staff cuts, are having a significant impact on the types of proposals being brought before Senate.
“The greater economic crisis has affected us pretty clearly,” said ICC co-chair Alex Knox. “We’re running into a lot more proposals that mingle with departments on campus, we’re getting more academic proposals as well because the money is not there for students to do what they need academically.”
“This year we’re going through very different economic times than in years past,” said Senate President Joe Pelcher. “We have received a lot more personal trip proposals and we are trying to figure out how to deal with that.”
Reacting to these personal proposals, this year’s Senate has been more conservative than in years past in terms of what they will and will not fund. One of the expenses that Senate has agreed never to fund is food.
“We’ve asked students to cut back on travel expenses. Food is not accepted at all,” said Knox. “The reasoning behind this is very simple. You have to feed yourself no matter what you do.”
In addition to refusing to fund food costs, Senate has asked students to cut back on all of their requested travel expenses.
“We’re asking a lot more questions now then we did last year,” said Slatta, “(such as) where is the money going and can it be cut back? This way we can accommodate the needs of more students who can’t get money elsewhere.”
Regardless of the disagreements involving accountability and the merits of student proposals, senators stress the importance of students understanding where their money goes.
“I would strongly advocate that students figure out who’s controlling their $165 per semester. There’s no further incentive needed,” said Knox. “If you care about your money and the use of it, then you should make an effort to become a part of the process and get to know Senate.