Students’ Association Senators approved a budgeting philosophy for the 2005 fiscal year at their Monday meeting.

Finance Chair Dustin Wagner said improvements in the document were made to increase its readability and better define its reach.

“The new philosophy includes some better technical writing,” he said. “[Changes were made] to make sure we included all the organizations we encounter.”

The SA budgeting philosophy defines the process by which new and current student organizations secure SA funds.

Included in the new budget philosophy are restrictions outlining requirements for student fee appropriation.

Among those requirements are that clubs seeking funding must enhance the knowledge of students at SDSU, provide student with a broader knowledge of art or culture, and provide a service to all students.

The SA Finance Chair begins the budgeting process with an initial evaluation of a proposed budget. After review by the requesting organization, the budget is sent to a SA Senate finance subcommittee and, eventually, to the entire senate body.

The budget then makes its way to the University Activity Fee and Budget Committee. In this step, final recommendation is made before the budget is presented to the University President.

Ben Solomon, SDSU student representative for the statewide STUDENT Project, met with the Student Association Monday to discuss aspects of the program relative to students at SDSU.

The STUDENT project is a South Dakota Board of Regents effort to consolidate student records and class information into a statewide network available to the regential South Dakota university system.

The project has already brought on the evaluation of courses at the state’s institutions. Courses deemed similar were given common course numbering that will transfer easily to any of the regential campuses. Additionally, merged student data, including transcripts, will be available at any regential university.

“When you apply for graduate programs, you have to get transcripts from all the schools you’ve attended-this will make that easier,” said Solomon.

He stressed that the transition to isn’t without concerns.

“There are some security considerations,” he said. “Right now, a lot of offices have information about you. [With the new, merged system] someone from [another institution] could possibly see your parent’s financial information, or your Social Security number.”

Solomon suggested the Student Association pass a resolution urging those working with the STUDENT Project to maintain confidentiality of the information it will contain.

Solomon also pointed out that the new project may downplay the individuality of the campuses in the state. He said that heading on new transcripts may not feature the name of the school, but rather the state’s higher education system as a whole.

Student Association president Eric Erickson echoed Solomon’s concerns.

“We want to make sure that there is an effort to have the universities maintain their identities,” he said. “Many of the projects on campus are alumni funded, and it’s important to keep that relationship between South Dakota State University and our alumni and current students.”

“It’s important when you go job hunting. You may want employers to know you went to SDSU and not another institution.”

Solomon said administrators at the state’s institutions are opposed to a consolidated university, and some are not even in favor of the project at all.

SA Senator Seth Koch requested a clarification on the benefits of the project.

Solomon reiterated that the consolidated course numbering would make the transfer of credits among state institutions much easier.

“The benefits right now seem very, very limited,” he said. “To answer your question-transcripts, great; the transfer of credits, great; but I don’t think that many people would use that.”

The Students’ Association Senate approved a smoking resolution at their Monday meeting, adding restrictions to the placement of cigarette receptacles.

The resolution, written by newly elected at-large Senator Seth Koch, acknowledges new smoking restrictions put into place by residential life and supplants it by restricting the placement of smoking receptacles to further than 20 feet away from building entrances.

“This last week, I’ve talked to a lot of my fellow students, and there’s a big problem with students standing inside and just outside of doorways smoking,” Koch said. “There are a lot of places where people smoke that [are in the way] of [nonsmoking] students.”

“If we move the receptacles away from the building, people will just throw their cigarettes on the ground,” said Senator Josh Lichty, who suggested a clause that might just make provisions to discourage smoking near doorways.

The resolution passed unanimously without amendment.

Newly elected Student Association President Eric Erickson appointed Senator Michael Whitford as administrative assistant for the 2003-2004 session.

The South Dakota State Students’ Association gavel changed hands Monday evening as former President Dan Hansen swore in Eric Erickson to the 2003-2004 SA president’s term.

Erickson immediately began presiding over his first senate. He called new senators to the table to deliver their oaths as well.

Following the ceremony, Erickson spoke of the recent deployment of many SDSU students to serve our nation in the military.

Students’ Association senators spent part of their Monday meeting discussing a union expansion report that will go to the Board of Regents this week.

SDSU will encourage approval of funds necessary to begin construction. A per credit activity fee increase of $3 will be requested to support the $8.5 million expansion.

Plans call for a 33,000-square-foot addition and remodeling of another 11,000 square feet.

“This isn’t just a pet project of a group of us, this is something that a lot of people want,” said Senator Chad Berg.

Preliminary plans include an expanded student lounge, a larger bookstore and increased dining space.

In addition to the fee increase, the university bookstore and dining services will provide funds. With approval, construction could begin next summer.

Students’ Association Senators approved a special allocation for Phi Tau Sigma at their Feb. 3 meeting in the lobby of Waneta Hall.

Andrea Twedt, president of Phi Tau Sigma, met with the SA to ask for $840 to support sending five members to a national conference.

Because the fraternity accepts only the highest academically achieving engineering students, she said she would like to see her members attend the conference with the smallest out-of-pocket expense.

The honorary mechanical engineering fraternity provides tutoring services to engineering students on campus, said Twedt. Conference attendees would learn new ways to expand the organization, particularly to do more community service.

“This year we have $20,000 to work with. Not enough students know they can get funding from the Student Association on campus,” said SA Vice President Ben Solomon in support of the appropriation. “I say we fund it, for the full amount.’

In opposition, Senator Emily Hauge said she felt Phi Tau Sigma could have spent more effort on raising funds from other source.

After discussion, the special allocation passed.

Students Association Senators made the first reading of three new amendments at their weekly meeting Monday, January 27.

The most heated discussion revolved around an amendment designed to eliminate the conflict of interest that occurs when a campus club executive holds an executive position on the SA.

The wording of the amendment prohibits an SA executive from serving an executive administration position of any club or organization that receives funding from SA.

Senator Emily Hauge expressed concern that the amendment was unnecessary.

“This is a democratic body. There are check and balances,” she said.

Vice President Ben Solomon said he felt the amendment was necessary to eliminate a potential conflict of interest in the future.

The Student Association By-Laws Committee presented three amendments for first reading by the Senate at their regular Monday meeting January 20.

As required for adoption, SA by-law amendments must provided two readings before adoption to allow for constituent feedback and concern. First reading for these three amendments was made Monday evening. Students with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Student Association office (USU 101). Student comments are welcome and encouraged.

An amendment dealing with campaign expense reimbursement was proposed.

Current policy provides for reimbursement of 85 percent of SA campaign expenses, up to 100 dollars. The amendment would eliminate the reimbursement.

The second proposed amendment added a clause requiring an election to fill a Presidential and Vice Presidential vacancy within two weeks of the vacancy.

The final proposed amendment provides unbiased leadership for SA presidential impeachment hearings. The current law states that the president shall preside. The amendment empowers the Vice President as presiding officer in these situations.

Nominations are under way for senate seats and administration positions in the 2003-2004 Students’ Association.

Current Administrative Assistant Eric Erickson and College of Engineering Senator Justin Larson were nominated, respectively, for President and Vice President at the SA’s first meeting of the New Year.