Senator suggests chamber remodel

In Monday’s meeting, student senators proposed industrial changes for the senate chambers and the Florida A&M Concert Choir requested funds for new uniforms.

Senator Iman Sandifer spoke to the senate about a technology improvement plan for the senate chambers.

The proposal will transform the student senate chambers into a multi-faceted smart room, which will include telecommunications and presentation capabilities. “The SGA technological improvement plan purpose is to take the governing entity of the Florida A&M student body into the 21st century,” Sandifer said.

“Technology is one of the most intricate components in today’s world, especially in the world of higher learning.”

The room would allow students to view senate meetings via FamCast. Sandifer wants the FamCast system to allow more transparency and empower students to take a more active role in senate meetings.

“This will be able to increase people knowing what’s happening in our very own student senate,” Sandifer said.

If the proposal is approved the project will be handled by Signal House Communications, LLC and will take up to one month to complete. The project will cost $30,090 and will be funded through the annual carry forward budget and new technology fee.

The equipment will be available to all students at FAMU to conduct meetings. It will be publicized through SGA and the Office of Student Union Activities.

Phillips Adebimpe, president of the FAMU Concert Choir, also spoke to the senate about receiving funds for the FAMU Concert Choir.

The Concert Choir is requesting funding to replace uniforms purchased over 15 years ago.
If funded, 40 dresses will be purchased at a combined cost of $2,600.

The Concert Choir was allocated $10,267, but Director Mark Butler said that it would not be enough to include the dresses in their allocation budget.

“That money was not for uniforms, and we have the outline of what we are supposed to use the money for,” Butler said.

The Concert Choir has improvised by using informal attire during past concerts and will be wearing T-Shirts and jeans during the Gospel Choir Concert Saturday.

“Presentation has everything to do with how you dress and the venues you are able to perform at,” Adebimpe said.  “By us having dresses that are bad, it really detracts from our overall presentation and representation of the university,” Adebimpe said.

The student senate also announced the Coleman Library Showcase, which will be held Nov. 2 in Lee Hall from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The talent showcase fundraiser will feature more than 12 acts with performances from the FAMU Strikers and Essence Dance Theatre. Tickets are available in the SGA chambers at $3 for students and $5 for non-students.

During the session, Jasmine Mitchell was confirmed as sophomore senator.