INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS CLUB FUNDING: Senator Matthew Hoyt (COL ’12—Alumni Square/Village B) introduced a bill to allocate $300 to the International Relations Club to host a musical group called “White Flag” dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Speaker Adam Talbot (COL ’12—LXR) said the Israeli and Palestinian performers work together to use music to promote discussion about peace and social justice. SAC and various other groups are also co-sponsoring the event. The bill passed unanimously.

Senator Colton Malkerson (COL ’13—Harbin 2-5) pointed out that this would be the kind of event the new GUSA Fund would sponsor in the future.

“It’s an introduction to the idea of GUSA finding part in student funding,” Hoyt agreed. “When a group isn’t able to [attain] enough funding from the different funding boards they can come to GUSA, especially for such student-wide, campus community events.”

“THE FUND” PROGRESS: Speaking of the new GUSA Fund, GUSA President Calen Angert (MSB ’11) says he intends to convene the Funding Board November 23 to get the Fund off the ground. Additionally, the executive plans to start an application process for members of the Fund. Talbot said, “It will take a couple of weeks to pull it all together.”

GUSA will also be holding a “Club Summit” to get input from club leaders and announce the findings of the Club Funding Survey. The Summit will be held this Saturday at 1 p.m. in Healy 104 and will be livestreamed.

BASKETBALL BUSES: Angert said the executive intends to send out an email survey “very shortly” to gauge student need for buses to the Verizon Center for basketball games. According to Angert, GUSA funds the GUTS buses on weekends, so the weekend bus schedules are within GUSA’s control, and they are seeking student input before making any alterations.

SAFETY PATROL: Talbot discussed with the Senate the possibility of GUSA funding a student “safety patrol” to walk students home Thursday through Saturday nights. The idea is one initiative that has been developed by the group formed in response to the recent hate crimes.

According to Talbot, the Office of Risk Management has already approved the measure. The student safety patrol would supplement what DPS already does. Additionally, Talbot said DPS is considering expanding their current “individual escorts” program to include males and children, which prompted a few minutes of confusion and discussion about which children on campus needed walks home. Talbot said, “I don’t know what children they’re talking about” and said if DPS requested funding from GUSA for the program, the senators could inquire more.

LAPTOPS: Angert briefly mentioned GUSA’s recent concern about DPS taking unattended student laptops without notifying students. He said GUSA is investigating further.

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