Syracuse University’s Student Association approved an updated version of the Fiscal Code on Monday, pending minor changes by comptroller Cierra Britton, which will allow the comptroller to take action against Finance Board members making decisions in a “biased” manner, Britton said.
The changes include clauses for “better evaluation” of finance board-funded events, Britton said, and clarification about how registered student organizations need to handle SA-approved funds.
SA voted to update one Fiscal Code clause to state that if the comptroller deems a Finance Board member to be making a biased decision, the comptroller can send that member back to the Assembly for re-election at the beginning of the following semester. Currently, Britton said Finance Board members, once elected, are “just there forever.”
A separate new clause approved Monday states that one Finance Board member and the comptroller must attend any ticketed event that requires less than $20,000 in SA funding. Forty percent of the Finance Board must attend any ticketed event that requires more than $20,000 in funding for a proper evaluation, the clause states.
The updated Fiscal Code will take effect in the spring semester. The code was last updated in 2013.
SA also voted to allocate $1,600 to the menstrual health advancement initiative. This money will fund metal tampon and pad dispensers for gender neutral and men’s bathrooms in five academic buildings on Main Campus. Women’s bathrooms in the buildings are already equipped with metal dispensers.
During midterms week, SA worked with Bird Library to extend hours for students to study. To accommodate this, SA had to pay $1,425 for Department of Public Safety officers to monitor the library. The organization also had to spend $300 on library custodial fees. SA on Monday voted to fund the total $1,725 needed for the midterms week initiative.
During finals week, Bird Library’s hours are extended on behalf of the university, said Malcolm-Ali Davis, chair of SA’s Academic Affairs Committee.
Each semester, SA’s president, vice president and comptroller get a stipend for their work with the organization. On Monday, SA voted to give these three positions $2,500 each semester as a stipend.
SA’s Chief of Technology, Chris Yin, also gave a short presentation about net neutrality, an idea that the internet should be accessible at no cost. Laws passed during former President Barack Obama’s administration ensured companies could not charge for faster or packaged internet deals.
The Federal Communications Commission is currently working to roll back these laws by introducing a plan to charge users for certains websites or internet speeds.
SA members on Monday decided they want to create an infographic that would educate students on ways they can express their opinions about net neutrality and the FCC.
In other news
President James Franco said he met with Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, senior vice president and dean of student affairs, and DPS Chief Bobby Maldonado to discuss a stabbing that occurred on Sumner Avenue about a month ago.
Students were not notified by the administration or DPS about the violent event, Franco said. According to city police, a 21-year-old Syracuse man was stabbed in the neck on Oct. 29 at 831 Sumner Ave. The man was expected to survive at the time, police said.
“I think the student body and the administration are on different pages about what warrants a communication,” Franco said. “They said since it was an ongoing thing, and since a student was already stabbed, then it doesn’t warrant a communication going out since the threat already left campus.”
A student forum will also take place next Monday at 7:30 p.m. The event is billed as a community forum for students to bring up topics of interest with SA leaders. SA will be hosting and moderating the event. Maldonado and Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele Wheatly will attend the forum, said Assembly Speaker Sophia Faram.
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