The SGA Senate passed a resolution Thursday honoring “It’s On Us Week,” introduced legislation calling for more funding for student participation in research, and funding requests for several student organizations. Approved.
Starting Monday, SGA will host several events during “It’s On Us Week” to raise awareness about sexual violence on college campuses.
“This week will feature a variety of educational programs, activities and opportunities for students.
“All faculty and staff must come together and demonstrate our commitment to ending sexual violence,” SGA spokesperson Morgan Patrick said in a press release. “SGA encourages all members of the campus community to participate and foster a culture of respect and responsibility.”
There are three events happening this week. Glory Bound Gyro will donate all proceeds from Monday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center, a 24/7 sexual assault crisis center that provides care to sexual assault survivors.
On Tuesdays from 5 to 9 p.m., Heat Pizza will donate proceeds to the SAFE Center if customers mention SGA at checkout.
On Wednesday, SGA will meet on the student center lawn with the UA Law Domestic Violence Clinic, an organization that provides free legal assistance in civil matters to domestic violence survivors in Tuscaloosa County.
At each event, students will have the opportunity to sign a pledge demonstrating their commitment to ending sexual violence.
“This (resolution) is about honoring and raising awareness for those who have been sexually assaulted,” said Sen. Haley Adams, who authored the resolution.
The Senate also introduced a resolution calling for more funding for students to participate in conferences and research. The resolution must be approved by the Finance Committee before it becomes law.
Sen. Vamsi Undavalli, who authored the resolution, said the maximum funding students can request from graduate schools to attend conferences or work on research projects is often insufficient to meet students’ needs. said.
The Graduate School provides up to $500 for students to attend conferences within North America and up to $800 for travel to other regions. Research funding is limited to $300 within North America and $600 outside of North America. Undergraduate funding can match what graduate schools offer, but even that is often lacking.
Andavali said conference attendance fees can cost more than $1,500 for students within North America and more than $2,400 for conferences outside of North America. Without university support, funding must come from external grants or directly from students’ pockets.
Increasing the maximum funding request would increase opportunities for students to participate in research, which in turn would strengthen universities, Undavalli said.
