FUNDING REQUESTS
The Muslim Student Association requested $7,172 for iftar events during Ramadan. Since Trinity Dining is limited for students who observe Ramadan, MSA hosts iftar, the fast-breaking evening meal during Ramadan, for all Trinity students to attend. They requested funding for 25 $100 H-E-B gift cards for financially disadvantaged students to buy halal food on their own when MSA is not hosting iftar. The request was unanimously fully funded.
The Men’s Club Volleyball asked for $9,598 to attend nationals in Phoenix. Thirteen members would be attending. The club members expressed that Trinity is the only Division III school that consistently competes with Division I schools like Rice University. Vice President Allison Waters suggested lowering the amount of meals funded to two per day. SGA voted to approve the request but with partial funding of $9,208. Junior Senator Orlando Ventura and Senior Senator Johnny Kousa voted against it.
The South Asian Student Association requested $1,764 to host Mock Mehndi. Mock Mehndi is a South Asian wedding event with henna, dancing, food and drinks. The request was fully funded with Sophomore Senator Krishna Patel abstaining.
The Trinity University Formula Racing team requested $12,285 in transportation costs to attend the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers competition in Michigan. The FSAE competition is a collegiate event where multiple teams build Formula 1 cars to race. Engineering students who have participated in FSAE competitions are usually highly sought after by companies. The engineering department provided funds for the car construction, but the formula racing team still needs funds to travel to the competition. Senators decided to lower the food stipend to two meals a day. The request was partially funded for $11,685. Senior Senator Pierce Jackson, Junior Senator Rohit Shetty, Junior Senator Alexander Brown and Senator Kousa voted against it.
The Asian American Pacific Islanders Club requested $4,555 for their Lunar New Year event. The event celebrates the Lunar New Year festival, where students can highlight their talent. The request includes funding for food, dress and hiring a lion dance team. The request was fully funded unanimously.
CLIMATE CHECK
Senators discussed the new meal plan announced by the school administration. First-year Senator Eva Smith expressed concern over students with food allergies who often avoid Mabee Dining Hall due to fears of cross-contamination. Students fear they will be forced to eat there more often next semester. President Joy Areola said that an entirely separate allergy-free kitchen section is in the works and dispatched Sophomore Senator Rohit Sheehy and Sophomore Senator Camryn Sperling to monitor the issue.
