Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
This year, The Daily Gazette will provide coverage and summaries of weekly Student Budget Committee (SBC) meetings. These reports will contain a summary of proposals made to SBC each week, and coverage of discussion among Committee members.
Swarthmore Health Society
The Swarthmore Health Society requested $250 to cover a trip to the Mutter museum, one of the largest museum of medical oddities in the world. The money would cover museum tickets and SEPTA tickets.
SBC members asked SHS’s representatives about the goal of the club, and whether this trip falls within those aims. Randy Burson ‘15 explained that there is not a lot of interaction between pre-health students aside from classes, and that SHS hopes to be a way for pre-health people to know each other “outside of the lab” and foster a sense of community.
Full funding was proposed, and passed unanimously.
Swarthmore African-American Student Society
SASS requested funding to attend a screening of Dear White People at AMC Marple, which a representative said was relevant to SASS discussions of being a minority student on a majority white campus. 24 SASS members are expected to attend the screening.
SBC members discussed whether they should fund movie screenings. One member mentioned that the committee has denied funding Psi-Phi screenings in the past, but acknowledged this film has important political and social relevance to the group. Another member agreed that the context of the screening is an important consideration, and compared seeing the movie to attending a cultural event off campus.
While the committee is unable to fund food (e.g. popcorn) at the theater, full funding for the costs of tickets and transport was proposed. However, because SBC and SASS member Mosea Harris ‘17 recused himself from the vote, there were not enough members present for a quorum. If a committee member who was absent approves the proposal, it will receive full funding.
Shogi Club
The Shogi Club requested funding to take a professional Shogi player who is visiting Swarthmore out to dinner off-campus. Funding for the player’s hotel and transport have already been covered, so the club only requested money for the meal.
SBC is not able to fund off-campus food events, but the Shogi club representative pointed out that very similar events for the club have been funded in the past. Further research found that this was not the case, and the club will look into alternative sources of funding.
i20
i20 requested funding for a formal, primarily for lighting and food. This will be a closed event for i20 members.
SBC committee members said that i20 purchasing their own lighting equipment was unnecessary, because student group Swaudio has equipment available. There was further discussion about whether SBC should fund closed events, and what the aim of this particular event is.
Because two SBC members recused themselves (both are international students who have been involved with i20), the group’s representatives agreed to discuss the proposal further via email, where all committee members can be involved.