By Jocelyn Fowler
Reporter
In its first weekly meeting this year, the student senate voted unanimously on Thursday to pass both the Delta Tau Delta Traditions Rally Bill and the Education Affordability Act.
The Delta Tau Delta Traditions Rally Bill, authored by Rockwall senior Senator Nick Pokorny, will allocate $10,000 from the Student Government Allocation Fund to the Delta Tau Delta fraternity to pay for the 2012 Traditions Rally musical act, Cory Morrow. Any money not used will be returned to the fund. The bill states the event will be moved to the new Baylor Stadium upon its completion.
The Education Affordability Act of 2012, authored by Pokorny and Dallas Dallas sophomore senator Connor Mighell, affirms the senate’s resolution to make affordability one of its top priorities for the 2012-2013 academic year. In the bill, the senate calls upon the Staff Council, Faculty Senate and Baylor Bear Foundation to join in that effort.
Pokorny said he understands the recent increase in tuition.
“It’s hard not to, because Baylor is a business,” Pokorny said.
Houston senior Brian Kim, the student body internal vice president (IVP), said the senate hasn’t yet received its budget for the year and that seats in the senate still need to be filled. Five senior senator seats, three junior senator seats and one sophomore senate seat remains, in addition to the upcoming election of the freshman senators.
Kim said it’s challenging for the senate to come up with bills that are acceptable, relevant and significant.
“It’s a challenge for us to produce bills that are well-researched,” Kim said.
Dominic Edwards, the senate public relations chair, said getting back into the swing of things for the senate wasn’t as hard as might be expected.
“It’s not that difficult. The IVP, EVP, and SBP work diligently all summer long,” Edwards said.
At its next weekly meeting, the senate will vote on the Pi Beta Phi Howdy Bill and the Beta Upsilon Chi Island Party Bill. The meeting will take place at 5 p.m. Sept. 6 in room 203 of the Cashion Academic Center. The weekly meeting is open to the student body.
