Student Government moves to recognize women’s frisbee team, reallocate funds

BY KASSY LOCHHEAD AND COURTNEY CAVANAUGH
STAFF WRITERS

Franciscan University Student Government met Sept. 16 to discuss three bills, which included the official recognition of the women’s ultimate Frisbee team as a club and funding for the Franciscan volleyball team’s sixth Dig Pink event.

The meeting was called into order by President Ben Stroka and began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.  Following the approval of the minutes, brief status reports were given by the treasurer, internal auditor and secretary, among others.

The first bill moved to recognize officially Franciscan University women’s ultimate Frisbee club.  Senator Sarah Sperduto, sponsor of the bill, explained that as of right now, there are 30 people interested in joining. The female team’s male counterpart, the FATAL ultimate Frisbee club team, reached nationals this past May and won the championship and national title.  The women’s ultimate Frisbee club president, Holly Koch, was present in support of the bill, which was passed unanimously.

The second item up for discussion was reallocation of funds for Students for Life.  Sponsored by Senator Andrea Moury, this bill proposed shifting funds originally allocated for the Students for Life info night to its game night instead, attempting to foster a more relaxed and social environment.  Students for Life was expecting approximately 25 students to attend the game night Sept. 19 in the International Lounge.  The purpose of this event was to introduce the club and encourage students to get to know each other.

In another bill, Young Americans for Freedom also sought reallocation of funds.  Sponsored by Senator Samantha Martinez, this bill moved to reallocate $100 from both Young Americans for Freedom’s debate watch parties, totaling $200, to its fall semester kickoff held Sept. 16 to cover food, drinks and supplies.  Attendance was expected to be much higher than anticipated when creating the budget last semester, and fewer debates were scheduled than expected.  Club president Tommy Valentine mentioned that the food and refreshments were purchased from local businesses in support of the community.

Also sponsored by Sperduto, a bill was presented to allocate $1,500 to the Franciscan volleyball team’s sixth Dig Pink event.  This event benefits the Dig Pink Foundation, an organization that funds cancer research throughout the country. This is the only event on campus specifically to address a women’s issue and is very well-attended.

A large portion of the funds, $1,000, would provide free T-shirts for event attendees.  Graphics in Print has agreed to donate the custom shirts at a cost of $6 per shirt.  Seventy-five percent of proceeds from the event will go to the Dig Pink Foundation, and the remaining twenty-five percent to the T.E.A.R. Fund at the Tony Teramana Cancer Center, which aids the community by providing monetary assistance to people battling cancer in the surrounding area.  Sperduto pointed out that this event in no way benefits the volleyball team.  All unused funds will be returned to the Student Government contingency fund.