Finance 9-18-17

October 23, 2017

MEETING START TIME: 3:32 PM

ATTENDANCE:

Committee: Chairwoman King, Vice-Chair Mattern, Senator Keene, Senator Howard

Absent: Senator Vu, Senator Guerra, Senator Strassfield

Non-Committee: Senator Gall Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, Quidditch Club, SOLC, URI Powerlifting, Humans vs. Zombies

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION:

 

  • Proposed Finance Handbook Changes regarding the limit to one extended retreat as year.
  • IFC and the Panhellenic voiced concern over the proposed changes to the Student Finance Handbook regarding extended retreats. IFC and he Panhellenic Council explained the value and reasoning behind having two extended retreats a year. The extended retreats are critical to planning out URI Greek Life’s year. It was stressed by IFC and the Panhellenic Council that the reason for them having the retreat be overnight was that each day of the retreat was packed with meetings and sessions regarding risk management, yearly planning, as well as other important topics. Around 60 people attended these extended retreats twice a year. Once in the fall before the start of the fall semester and once in the winter. It was explained that the fall retreat was critical in the transitioning between new and old fraternity and sorority executive boards and leadership. The winter retreat was an introduction, planning, and learning retreat for new leadership personal. It was stated that a typical day for a retreat would run from around 8 AM until 9PM at night. It was also stated that at night some of the critical relationships and bonding required to have a successful year took place. Chairwoman King stated that these new limits and expectations were meant to add structure, definition and checks and balance on retreats. Senator Keene suggested not having a limit on just one retreat a year and leaving it open to having groups with more than one extended retreat a year come and ask for funding. The rest of the finance committee agreed and Chairwoman King motioned to strike the wording regarding the limit of one extended retreat a year. The motion passed (5-0-0).  SOLC was also presented to suggest that the language of the retreats section of the handbook be reformed to better reflect retreat definitions and expectations. The committee agreed to work on better defining the different type of retreats.

 

  • URI Quidditch Club Questions and Finance Handbook Clarifications:
  • The URI Quidditch Club came to the Finance Committee to ask for clarification about the purposed ten people travel and lodging limit. Quidditch voiced concern that they would not be able to field a team if the limit was ten people. Chairwoman King explained that for gas reimbursement the ten-person limit does not apply.

 

 

  • URI Powerlifting and the purposed ten-person limit for Travel and Lodging:
  • URI Powerlifting came to the meeting to voice their concerns with the purposed ten-person limit on travel and lodging. The organizations main concern was being able to fund travel and lodging needs for Collegiate Nationals for powerlifting. In past years powerlifting has benefited heavily from travel and lodging grants from Student Senate to fund part of the cost for the travel and lodging needs of the members going to compete at the National Competition in the Spring Semester. The group has qualified over ten members in the past few years for the national competition. Vice-Chairman Mattern explained that this purposed change to the finance book was in the best interests of the student body. It was also stated that only four Travel and Lodging grants were given out last year and with over 130 student organizations the money for Travel and Lodging grants would be best used to fund grants for conferences or other trips with the intention of students bring knowledge back to improve their organization and the University. Chairwoman King also made the point that going Nationals was a privilege and not a right for the group. The Chairwoman cited that the Senate accounting and banking system was not set up to run competitive sports teams and organizations. She then made the point the group could still bring more than ten-persons for travel and lodging but that Senate would only fund up to 50% of the travel costs equal to ten people. The example was made that if powerlifting would apply for a grant and stated that they intended to bring 20 people and a grant was approved they would still get the money for 50% of the costs equal to ten people. But it could be spread over the whole of the 20-people. Meaning 25% of the travel and lodging costs per person would be covered by a grant. Vice-Chair Mattern than asked if the group had membership dues. The dues for team are currently $65 a year per person. The final point made by Vice-Chair Mattern was that group should consider possibly raising dues for members. The dues of the organization are low when compared to other groups like Baseball and Alpine Skiing. It was stated that Powerlifting was welcomed to come and speak with the committee about raising dues or financial planning for the organization.

 

  • Contingency Grant for Humans vs. Zombies
  • Humans vs. Zombies requested a Capital Improvements grant of the sum of $130.06. The money would be used to purchase 200 blaster darts, four walkie-talkies, orange duct tape, a pegboard, and pegboard hooks. The darts would be used for HVZs blasters. The walkie-talkies for better game communication for the game organizers, the orange duct tape as an added aid for games, and the pegboard with hooks for their office for added storage of blaster and better keeping of inventory. Chairwoman King said no to the darts as they would be Senate assets and because blaster darts are easily lost in the way they are used by the club. Chairwoman King approved to grant Humans vs. Zombies $121.07 for Capital Improvement.

 

  • Extra
    • The committee finished going through the whole Finance book.

 

MEETING ADJOURNMENT TIME:  4:45pm