From some organizations pleading for more money to friendly amendments turning hostile, the senate spent hours adjusting the budget Monday before sending it off to President Lewis for the final decision.
After more than four hours in session, the organizations with the greatest budget increases included FAMU Strikers, from $7,000 to $17,000, and the Marching ‘100’ that received a $19,000 increase in Band Operations and an extra $5,000 for band uniforms.
“The FAMU Strikers serve the capacity of recruitment. I don’t know who can recruit with a budget of $7,000,” said Shepiro Henderson, adviser to the FAMU Strikers, addressing the Senate Monday.
Chiquita Woolfolk, chairwoman of the Activities and Service Committee, reminded senators before deliberations began that it would be impossible to provide enough funds to every agency.
“We have some great organizations on campus. We have to give what we can. We’ll never be able to give enough money,” Woolfolk said.
Senators are allowed to make proposals called friendly amendments, where they suggest allocating money from one or more organizations to others. The proposals are either accepted or denied by Woolfolk. If senators’ requests are repeatedly denied, they can call for a hostile amendment. If the call is seconded, the full body votes on the proposals.
Although other organizations received increased funds, including the cheerleaders, The Famuan, Senate Small Clubs and SGA Executive Branch, not all senators were satisfied with the proposed allocation of the $3.2 million budget.
Jennifer Porter, a senior senator, made numerous proposals to create an administrative assistant position in recreation and intramurals, all of which failed, including her hostile amendment.
Once money is allocated to create a salary position, the position cannot be terminated and the amount of money must increase yearly to coincide with cost of living expenses.
“I don’t think that they didn’t understand the importance of having that position, but that it should be incumbered by the administration.”