By Julia Mericle
Staff Writer
The Student Government Association (SGA) meeting on Tuesday focused on what each class is bringing to St. Bonaventure during the Spring 2014 semester and what the Campus Activities Board (CAB) plans to accomplish with a reduced budget.
CAB is in full swing this semester, with plans to bring musician Teddy Geiger to perform in the Rathskeller on Tuesday, Feb. 11 and an a cappella group, The YellowJackets to preform on Thursday, Mar. 6.
Talk of Spring Weekend was already buzzing at the SGA meeting as clubs brainstormed ideas to keep expenses down and use funds wisely. Members of CAB said the $30,000 budget for Spring Weekend they received last year was reduced by half for this year. With only $15,000 available and $7,000 already set aside for necessary expenses, including tents and food, there remains $8,000 for inflatables and performances.
The smaller budget stems from a decline in enrollment. Funding for all student clubs is derived from student activities fees.
Attendees of the meeting found the budget worrisome and suggested that other clubs pitch into the CAB fund for Spring Weekend festivities. Class of 2016 president Rose Brown said the sophomore class plans to join forces with CAB to help out and urges others to do the same.
“Spring Weekend is one of the biggest events on campus and if we all pitch in I’m sure it would be a huge help for them. This semester we really want to focus on the campus as a whole, not just our class,” Brown said.
The class of 2017 is hosting their first annual glow dance Saturday at 9 p.m. in the Rathskeller. Admission to the event is free, and wings and glow sticks will also be provided for attending students.
The group plans to raise money for their class by selling class T-shirts and 50/50 tickets at basketball games. The class is also discussing plans for a spring barbeque to take place when the weather gets warmer.
The class of 2016 is working toward honoring Tyler Davis, the sophomore history major who passed away last semester. The class hopes to build a bench and plant a tree in remembrance of Davis.
“We are still the in the process of getting approvals, but we want it to be up and on campus by the end of the semester,” Rose Brown said.
The sophomore class also partnered with alumni services to bring an alumni panel to campus on Thursday, Feb. 6. The event will help prepare students for what to expect after graduation and allow them to interact and network with successful graduates.
The junior prom, which will be held April 11, 12 and 13 is a main point of attention for the class of 2015. In order to put this event into action, the group is concentrated on fundraising, including selling St. Bonaventure car magnets and “Kiss Me I’m A Bonnie” T-shirts for St. Patrick’s Day.
Junior class president, Samantha DiBenedetto, encouraged students who have ideas on how to improve student life to bring their thoughts to the open discussion portions of SGA meetings.
In their last semester at Bonaventure, the senior class has one of the busiest schedules.
Following their 200 days celebration in the Rathskeller during the fall semester, the class of 2014 will host their 100 Days “Celebration of Past, Present and Future” at Good Times of Olean from 8 to 12:30 p.m. tomorrow.
The cost per ticket is $20, which includes pizza, wings, a DJ and transportation. According to senior class president Tyler Pauly, more than 170 students have signed up.
“I really want the class to come together, because we all have one thing in common, we’re quickly going to become Bonaventure alum,” Pauly said.
The class of 2014 is also preparing for senior week activities, including the student-faculty social, and the announcement of their senior class gift. Class officers held their first meeting on the class gift this week.
mericlje13@bonaventure.edu
