In the 36th Student Senate meeting Monday evening, the Senate reviewed the audit of the Strikers’ activities and services account and the progression of the Agnew-Gillum Experience, passed a resolution for the volleyball team and confirmed the new solicitor general.
The A&S agency reported that the Strikers presented a personal money order in the amount of $1,305.84 for the rental of Lee Hall after the Striker and Mahogany dance event held there this past weekend. It is not known where this money came from.
There was also a deduction of $1,400 made from the Strikers’ A&S account earlier in the semester with no explanation.
Because student organizations are not prohibited from having external accounts, there is a lack of infrastructure, said Senate President Ebony Manchion.
“The Office of Student Activities is currently trying to develop restrictions on external accounts for student organizations,” said Manchion. Because these organizations bear the university’s name, if anything were to happen regarding those accounts, the university would be held liable, she added.
According to the audit, the Strikers have $814 left of the initial $4,700 issued by the Senate at the beginning of the semester. The agency said that according to the audit, the money was not taken out of the Strikers’ A&S account, and it cannot yet confirm if the money presented was the profit from the show.
As an A&S-funded organization, the Strikers are prohibited from making profit from any of their events because it is double charging the students. If it is proven that the Strikers have received profit from the annual event, their account could be frozen and it will affect their eligibility for the spring budget.
“In the continuing investigation of this matter, the 36th Student Senate hopes to find clarification on who actually paid for the event,” said sophomore Sen. Phylicia Ross, a computer information systems student from Orlando.
Later in the evening, the director of student lobbying, Vincent Evans, reported on the progression of the New AGE experience. Evans, a freshman political science student from Jacksonville, said 71 percent of the New AGE platform has been completed so far this school year.
The New AGE is the administration of Student Body President Phillip Agnew and Student Body Vice President Monique Gillum. Evans said the administration has explored alternative banking options for students, and is looking at Bank of America to possibly replace Capital City Bank because students are more familiar with Bank of America’s services.
“The New AGE has promoted tri-branch unity in the executive, judicial and legislative branches of the Student Government Association,” Evans explained. “The New AGE has also made it possible for students to find more utility for their Rattler cards, which can now grant students access to all athletic events.”
Evans went on to say that Agnew met with Vincent June, vice president of student affairs, to discuss issues concerning the law school.
Law students are concerned about financial aid, the lack of staff, their Web site and overall communication. June worked to develop possible solutions for each issue.
The Student Bar Association of the law school will be having weekly teleconferences with the executive branch of FAMU’s administration to help bridge the gap of communication.
“We are excited to continue the work of the students and look forward to a very prosperous new year,” Evans said.
Later the Senate confirmed Melissa Moore as the solicitor general for the legislative branch. The solicitor general serves as the attorney for the defendant in case of a trial. Moore, a junior business administration student, said she is fit for the position because she possesses “determination, perseverance and caution.”
The Senate also passed a resolution for the volleyball team. The women’s volleyball team has been the MEAC champion for six consecutive years.
According to Student Resolution 06F-011, “It is the will of the student body to recognize and honor outstanding athletes who represent our university. The women’s volleyball team has enhanced the athletic value of our university through consistent performance.”