The University of Miami's Associated Student Government (ASG) passed four bills, including caps on internal spending. Senators also approved next year's Internal Operating Budget (IOB).
Treasury Secretary Eve Harvey introduced the IOB on the Senate floor. Budget requests were primarily for various committee events and discretionary purposes. It was passed unanimously.
House Speaker pro tempore Nicholas Barry has authored a bill that would place a 12% cap on internal spending. Barry said the IOB for the 2019-2020 school year was $19,938, not including scholarships. For the current academic year, including summer, fall and spring terms, he was paid $174,146.
Barry said the cap would allow more funds to go to student organizations. Campus Executive Director Grace Payne and Assemblyman Eli Davis expressed support, saying it would make secretaries more mindful of spending. Senators passed the bill.
“Current spending levels are [ASG] They’re taking away funds that should be going to student organizations,” Barry said.
Barry, along with Sen. Sam Miller, authored another bill that would require the secretary to spell out budget requests in more detail, as past requests were less specific. Sen. Harry Rabin voiced his support, saying it promotes transparency. This bill was passed.
ASG also passed legislation encouraging Miami's Farmer Business School to include Christian organizations on its list of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) student organizations. Sen. Jacob Van Riper, the bill's author, said the site included other religious groups, but not Catholic Campus Ministries and CRU. He said the site was last updated in 2021 and contains some dead links.
“If you're exploring, or rather choosing, your beliefs, you shouldn't be given a filtered list,” said bill sponsor Barry.
The ASG has passed legislation that promises to re-evaluate ministerial positions. Davis, the bill's author, said a commission would be established to oversee the reconstruction. Student body president-elect Will Brineley will appoint a director to this committee. Members would include five senators nominated from the Senate floor, Mr. Brineley, or the nominated Senate President-Elect Shelby Alford, or another member of the Senate leadership. According to the law, the purpose is to limit overlapping responsibilities and combine less burdensome positions.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Secretary August Ogunowo and Communications and Media Secretary Sidney Markham reported on the Subcommittee on Embracing Differences. Ogunnowo said the aim is to encourage students to interact with people they would not normally interact with. Mr. Markham said he believes this subcommittee will further strengthen collaboration between committees within the ASG.
“Embracing differences is about reducing the gap between multicultural groups and organizations and students and minority groups,” Ogunnowo said.
This was the last ASG meeting of the semester. The Senate election packet is scheduled to be filed May 3 at 5 p.m.
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