Student Senate meeting to decide on Howdy and Island Party bills

Jocelyn Fowler
Reporter

Those attending tonight’s Student Senate meeting may want to bring their leis and cowboy hats.

At 5 p.m. in 203 Cashion Academic Center, the Baylor Student Senate will vote on two bills concerning funding for Pi Beta Phi’s All-University Howdy and Beta Upsilon Chi’s (BYX) Island Party.

The Beta BYX Island Party bill requests that the Student Senate help with costs for this year’s musical act, Tim Halperin, sound equipment and snow cones provided by Penguin Pete’s. The bill’s author, Sugar Land senior Cody Orr, is confident the bill will pass with few objections.

“I’m not expecting any issues. It’s a good event, BYX is a good group, and it’s going to a good charity,” Orr said.

San Antonio senior Dan Manuppelli said he is sure that the All-University Howdy bill will be passed.

Like BYX, Pi Beta Phi is requesting help for its musical guest, the Chris Storey Band, and the costs of decorations.

Manuppelli said a strong selling point for the bill is the financial contribution Pi Beta Phi makes to its own event.

Pi Beta Phi has raised more than $13,000 for this year’s All-University Howdy and is requesting less money than last year.

“Howdy is a great bill that we see every year,” Manuppelli said. “One thing I really like about the Howdy bill is that they do a great job of collecting from other organizations on campus.”

The Student Senate also has some housekeeping issues to address.

Amendments made to the Student Senate bylaws in the spring of last year conflict with policies established in the Student Body Constitution.

This evening, senators hope to resolve the discrepancies.

All Student Senate meetings are open to the public and will allow a brief open forum for students to bring their issues directly to the senate’s attention.