Though the weather outside was blustery and cold, March came in like a lamb for the Student Government Association.
After a month full of debate over business-school fees and other controversial issues, SGA senators enjoyed a welcome calm during last Tuesday’s meeting – where the loudest discussions took place before the call to order and concerned spring break.
Quiet bureaucracy was the order of the day as the SGA approved members for its eight committees, then read a bill that would update the methods used in the current senate selection process.
Senators will discuss the bill and vote on it at next week’s meeting.
In other business, the SGA has allocated nearly $10,500 in student activity funds to 20 groups during the second 606 funding session of the semester.
Student activity (606) funds are derived from a $4 activity fee paid by students each semester and are distributed by the SGA.
“The Student Activity 606 fund was established to enrich the collegiate experience for all or a substantial part of the student body,” Sen. Josh Shearin, a member of the 606 Allocations Committee said.
The Honors Program Student Council was given $2,040 to sponsor a campus visit by San Francisco writer Vendela Vida, who wrote “Girls on the Verge” – a nonfiction book about the sometimes bizarre and disturbing initiation rites of American girls impose on one another – and the recently published novel “And Now You Can Go”.
Mike Blair, a project manager with University Productions, who will cosponsor Vida’s appearance, said the event was part of an effort to bring a writer to campus.
Vida is also the one of the founding editors of the literary magazine The Believer. The event will be held on April 12 in Meeting Room 6 of the Culp Center at 7 p.m.
Funding was also given to the Appalachian Traditional Music Association, who received $725 to bring Erwin-based bluegrass band The Spivey Mountain Boys to ETSU.
The date is set for April 17, but time and location have not been confirmed.
The Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance received $300 for students to attend the March for Women’s Lives in Washington, D.C. on March 18-21.
The march is a public demonstration focusing on the advocacy of various women’s issues.
Also of note, Young Life received $320 for members to attend a summer camp, and the ETSU Catholic Campus Ministry received $600 for students to visit Doe River Gorge for a spiritual-renewal seminar.
Other groups, such as Alpha Psi Omega, the Psychology Club, the Black Graduate Student Association and the Ad Club will use their funding to attend educational conferences.
“In essence, 606 has turned into a giant travel expense resource,” Shearin said. “If you look at the record, on-campus events generally receive more funding.
“I believe I speak for most of the committee when I say we prioritize on-campus events, but as of late, there have been very few on-campus activities to fund.”
The final 606 funding sessions will be held April 6 during the SGA meeting at the Culp Center Forum.
Applications are due before 2 p.m. on March 26. Interested groups should pick up an application in the SGA office in the Culp Center.

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