The 50th student senate approved two appeals at its Nov. 30 general meeting.
The legislative body approved an appeal made by Student Association (SA) President Jennifer Sanchez regarding Mr. New Paltz: A Male Beauty Pageant, an event aimed to raise money for The Pakistan Relief Effort.
Sanchez explained that she planned to appeal before the Programming Board on Wednesday for event funds in hopes that she would have a clear idea by then of how much money was going to be spent and have the paperwork in a week in advance. But due to Thanksgiving break, the Programming Board meeting was rescheduled for Nov. 29.
“I didn’t meet with my candidates. I didn’t even know who my candidates were until [Tuesday] so there’s no way I could have presented for the Programming Board [on Monday],” said Sanchez.
Six candidates were confirmed to participate in the pageant on Tuesday and Sanchez said she would need $45 for media technology, and an additional amount for decorations for the events and props for candidates.
The senate voted to reimburse Sanchez as long as she does not spend over $300 with the stipulation that she provide a clear account of how she spent the money.
The legislative body also approved an appeal made by Recycling Club President Lauren Brois regarding funds to provide food at the club’s Dec. 7 Sustainable Craft Fair.
In an effort to provide food at the fair from local vendors that have at least some local and organic ingredients, Brois said the Recycling Club’s line item requested $202.64 to spend at Main Course and Rock da Pasta.
The $202.64 was originally rejected by the Budget and Finance Committee.
“We are just appealing the denial because we feel that offering free food really makes an event have a lot more people go to it,” said Brois.
Because they are expecting about 200 people to attend the event, instead of the original request, Brois appealed for $202.64 to get pizza for the event “maybe from Rino’s because they have some green business techniques.”
Vice President of Finance Youssouf Kouyo said he denied Recycling Club’s original request because the fair was expected to be a big event and including food might have been “messy” and not everybody would be able to get food.
Although some senators agreed with Kouyo, the club was approved the funds to get pizza for the event.
The next general student senate meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 7 in Student Union 418.