The Florida A&M University 54th Student Senate met on Monday, receiving updates regarding this year’s Homecoming budget. The budget confirmed the executive branch’s final position and approved the Fall Election Season schedule.
The annual ‘So You Think You Can Lead?’ panel has been confirmed to occur on Friday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the senate chambers. This interactive event aims to discuss student leadership and the lessons student leaders have learned in Student Government and beyond.
Following the announcements and internal committee reports, the Senate received the Executive Branch of the Student Government Association.
The Chief of Staff, Brittney Young, announced that the SGA Open House will be on Monday, September 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The open house is held annually to allow the student body to speak to their class representatives, tour the SGA office, and meet and greet the Executive Branch Staff.
Additionally, Vice President Dakarai Williams provided an update regarding this year’s projected Homecoming budget.
VP Williams announced that the executive branch has secured a sponsor to cover the entire cost for this year’s homecoming concert. Details within the contract state that the sponsor will cover the cost of an opening act, one headlining artist, and more.
With this, the executive branch presented a proposed allocation plan for the funds initially allocated for the homecoming concert [$300,000]. These funds will be added to the initial budget for homecoming events, which was created at the beginning of the fiscal year. This allocation plan will provide relief towards several events taking place during Homecoming. The Student Senate will hold a vote to determine the use of the excess funds.
With a projected allocation of $75,000 for concert artists, an additional $20,000 for the comedy show, and $20,000 for the Taste of a Rattler cookout, these tentative numbers give SGA a cushion as they plan this year’s Homecoming events.
Along with the excess funds that will be realized at the end of Homecoming, VP Williams also stated that SGA receives 100% of the profit made in ticket sales from the Homecoming concert, which is outlined in the contract between SGA and the Homecoming sponsor. The sponsor has not yet been publicized.
Several questions were raised over the $8,500 allocation that is projected to cover the cost of the graphics that will promote all Homecoming events. VP Williams expressed that he, his assistant, and the FAMU Foundation debated this decision. Williams noted his decision to select a plan that currently allocates $17,000 but would have initially allocated $24,000, of which the FAMU Foundation and SGA are each responsible for fifty percent.
When asked by Senior Senator Essence Gilbert about exploring another graphic designer or another financial plan, VP Williams stated that the current agreement is in place because of the appreciation shown by the FAMU Foundation regarding the work that has been done by the current graphic designer over the past three Homecomings. VP Williams also stated that if the student body created a petition to present to the FAMU Foundation, this could possibly lead to more conversation surrounding the allocation plan. VP Williams says that when comparing this year’s plan to last year’s receipt, there was no less than $5,000 paid for the Homecoming promotional graphics and that this year shows a $3,500 increase in the amount SGA is paying.
The Student Senate made a motion to transfer the $300,000 initially allocated to the Homecoming concert to the budget for programming, which will allow VP Williams and the Homecoming steering committee to allocate the funds at their discretion for the various Homecoming events. VP Williams closed his presentation by confirming that he will be returning to the Senate consistently to provide live updates of the Homecoming budget and allocation plan.
Myron Dobson Jr., a second-year business administration student, approached the podium to confirm his competency to serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff of SGA. Dubson noted that his leadership experience serving in the Godfather Chapter of Progressive Black Men Inc. has given him plenty of skills that will help him excel in this role.
The Senate confirmed Dobson for the position of Deputy Chief of Staff with 22 votes in favor, and none opposed or abstained. With this confirmation, the executive branch has now filled every vacant position, which will allow these student leaders to operate effectively this academic year.
Lastly, the Student Senate received Electoral Commissioner Regan Wilson to approve the Fall Election schedule, the ballot, the election Bill of Rights, and guidelines for candidates. This presentation was an old business item that was revisited today.
Wilson proposed a Fall Election season beginning on Sunday, September 23, and ending on Tuesday, October 8, or Wednesday, October 9, if there is a need for a run-off election. The candidate’s meeting will be held over Zoom on Saturday, September 29.
The positions open for students to run for include Miss Freshman Attendant, Miss Graduate Attendant, Freshman Class President and Vice President, Graduate President and Vice President, eight Freshman Senator seats, and three Graduate Senator seats.
A motion was passed to add the positions of Sophomore Class President and Vice President and Junior Class President and Vice President to the Fall election ballot since NOTA [None Of The Above] won the majority vote for both tickets last spring.
The Senate will reconvene after next week, as next week will be reserved for a Senate bonding event.