PSGA Blog Number Nine: The Senate Grants Tech Services Funds and Concludes on Probation Resolution

This week, the PSGA met to further discuss topics such as the Probation Resolution, the appointment of another Associate Justice, and funds proposals.

Director of the Office of Student Life and Community Partnerships Jason Alt made a guest appearance and further clarified information regarding the Probation Resolution. Most importantly, he answered a reoccurring question facing the Senate of whether or not the PSGA was separate from the administration. According to Alt, the answer was no.

Alt said that the Senate functioned as a system of checks and balances. According to him, it is the administration’s responsibility to make sure that money being used by the PSGA is spent legally and appropriately. “We, as an administration, have the unfortunate responsibility to say ‘no, you can’t do that’,” said Alt.

He also said that the administration opted to take a general “backseat policy,” and his main objective was to oversee, and not control, the progress of the PSGA.

Alt used the Probation Resolution as an example to illustrate his point. He explained that in order to serve in a position, there are certain guidelines, and the document itself gives the students a chance to develop a protocol.

“We believe in your leadership ability,” said Alt. “We are very much in favor of working with you in a partnership.”

When discussing this partnership, Alt stressed the fact that the administration is flexible when it comes to working with the students. “There has to be communication for a democratic environment,” he said. “We believe in the good work that you’re doing.”

Also regarding the Probation Resolution, the Steering Committee met last Friday to further explain the document and the PSGA’s role within it. “It’s not at our discretion to change their policy,” said Senator of Big Haus Salina Solomon. “It’s their policy and it’s here whether we like it or not.”

Coordinator of Histories and Documents Steve Sabel assured the senators that the document is not permanent, and that their opinions did matter. “This is a living document,” he said. “There’s more to come. If you have any strong recommendations on the enforcement of this [policy], [Alt] will take it up.” After a straw poll, most senators said that they felt more comfortable with the Probation Resolution than they had in weeks past.

Associate Justice candidate Jason Kuang returned to the Senate so that a clearer and more accurate vote could be conducted after appearing last week. “I feel like this job would give me a direction with what I want to do with my life,” said Kuang.

He also said that he would step down from his responsibility as president of Gamer’s United if he were appointed. The motion to appoint Kuang once again failed, and once again led to confusion. Some senators questioned why others didn’t approve, and a motion was passed to reconsider the appointment in a closed session after the meeting.

In regards to proposals for funds, Coordinator of Finance Nico Marceca told the Senate that the campus magazine, The Independent, would need an additional $300 for their next 10 papers. The Senate decided to approve the transferring of money from the Webmaster position to the print master. The print master’s salary would be increased from $50 a week to $80, since senators decided that this position was being underpaid.

Marceca also said that $1,400 worth of equipment was stolen from the college last year, and as a result, Tech Services was granted funds to purchase security cages and new platforms as a safety measure. They later presented a list of 13 allocations to the Senate.

Although there is another list of equipment that has yet to be discussed, these safety precautions, which would amount to $7,708.20, were deemed necessary by the Senate.