AS allocates club money

By MARTHA MARTINEZ

Thousands of dollars will be disputed to several campus clubs and organizations.

Based on recommendations from the Finance Committee, Associated Students Senate members voted in favor of funding the African Student Union, Epsilon Sigma Rho, M.E.Ch.A., the Redwave Volleyball Club, San Joaquin Literary Association, and Veritas Forum and the Women's Alliance.

The Finance Committee had already approved funds for the organizations but recommended more money be allocated to the clubs in order to cover the costs of events the organizations are holding.

“The [Finance] Committee can only approve $1,000,” AS secretary Amy Armstrong said. “The rest [of the funds] is passed on to the Senate for approval.”

The African Student Union was approved a total of $2,000 for “Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration 2004,” which will be held Dec. 8.

Multicultural Night cost Epsilon Sigma Rho $1,070, which the Senate also approved.

The Senate approved $815 to complete the $1,815 requested from M.E.Ch.A. for its Chiapas Media Project on Nov. 22.

The Redwave Volleyball Club received $2,000 for “Sports Club.” The Redwave Volleyball club is the men’s volleyball team that represents Fresno State in club sports.

Joe Sikkema, who plays for the men's club volleyball team, said the money is much needed for the sport.
“We are one of the best teams that represents the Fresno State campus and we don’t get a lot of money,” Sikkema said.

Another club that was approved much-needed funding was the San Joaquin Literary Association. In its first year, the association is aiming to bring creative writers and speakers for lecture events, co-founder Jefferson Beavers said. The association needs the money, Beavers said, because it is hosting the “Creative Writer Series” with Jonathan Franzen as the guest speaker.

The Finance Committee approved $1,000 and the Senate approved another $600.

Because unexpected rain forced the Women’s Alliance to rent tents for speakers at its Take Back the Night on Oct. 27, the Senate approved $175 to cover the cost of the tents.

In other issues, the Senate discussed a possible fee increase for the health center on campus. The fee would be $85 per semester per student instead of the current rate of $65.

“We were elected by the students for the voice of the students,” AS executive vice president Brent Hansen said about the possibility of having a referendum to oppose the health center fee increase. “We have to take that into strong consideration.”