SGA’s legislative body passed the second round of spring funding during its weekly meeting on Monday.
SGA Treasurer Samuel Fehl said there were several notable requests for funding, which totaled $9,200 across all student organizations which requested funding. Fehl said the total budget was $10,000, meaning not all the funding was used.
The Black Student Union (BSU) requested the most funding at $3,286, which was approved. Fehl said the funding is for “several cool events.”
Point Park Outdoors Club received the second highest amount of funding at $1,354 for outdoor equipment to be held on the third floor of the Student Center. That number is still awaiting approval from the club’s treasurer, who Fehl said is still in the process of training.
At the third highest funding level is the Sports Communication club, which requested $999 for a new monitor and various pieces of broadcasting equipment, according to Fehl. No questions were raised about any funding request.
Beyond funding requests, much of Monday’s meeting centered around Dr. Becky Spritz, dean of Arts and Sciences, who was present as a guest speaker.
Spritz spoke about her background in higher education and what brought her to Point Park, saying she wants to be an advocate for students and to strengthen the arts and sciences program.
“What I heard is, some people didn’t even know we had a school of Arts and Sciences,” Spritz said. “I want to change that. I want to really showcase that.”
Additionally, Spritz talked about interdisciplinary programs and how the school of Arts and Sciences can potentially collaborate with other schools within the university, such as the Rowland School of Business, to fast-track MBA programs.
But she said she needs to hear student voices to get working on a vision and a strategic plan for the school, such as improving lab space on campus.
Parliamentarian Sienna Wraith asked about degree changes, the addition of new classes to different majors and if Spritz envisions changes to programs in the Arts and Sciences.
They said they noticed the social studies program was still listed as a degree to take as of last year and committed to Point Park before finding out the degree they were hoping to pursue wasn’t available anymore.
Spritz said she didn’t have the answer yet, but is working with the Literature, Culture and Society (LCS) department to try and figure out how to sort out the programs in-limbo in her school.
“I want to take a look and really think about an identity for each of the departments as well as for the school,” Spritz said. “If you come in as a Point Park student, we should be honoring that degree for you, right? We want to be able to find a way for you to be able to complete the degree that you started.”
But Spritz recognized the reality of program cuts, especially if it consists almost entirely of independent studies and shrinks considerably. Though she said she is not looking to sunset any programs immediately or add more requirements to a degree.
Members of SGA did not discuss much on happenings before spring break, including the presidential and vice presidential election. Vice President Madigan Balfe acknowledged that the elections took place, but did not provide a vote count; likely because both seats were uncontested.
During the first open floor, Sen. Liz McKinney brought up the problems with Lawrence Hall’s laundry room, saying the dryers often do not dry clothes despite most students cleaning out lint traps per each use.
“I feel like the vents themselves that lead out of the dryers are very, very clogged and that can be a massive fire hazard,” McKinney said, “which also explains why it’s at least 10 degrees higher in that whole floor in general.”
Balfe said the issue is likely caused by the vents, since the dryers in every campus building were replaced last year. Dean of Student Life Michael Gieseke said he would make phone calls as soon as the meeting was over.
Parliamentarian Wraith said some of the problems could be due to user error, noting how housing had to send an email to all Lawrence Hall residents reminding them not to open washing machines in the middle of a cycle and not to overload machines.
Sen. Melanie Petroski presented results from a chart they made comparing prices on 13 items from Point Cafe to other stores nearby. Petroski said of the 13 items, 11 were more expensive at the Cafe compared to Target, CVS and Five Below.
Lastly, SGA is hosting a town hall today, Wednesday, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Lawrence Hall’s ballroom. Food will be provided.
