The College Union Board (CUB) requested $33,957.84 for the comedic acts of Chelsea Handler and "RENO 911." This comedy show is scheduled to include a 45-minute standup introduction by E! Network star Chelsea Handler, followed by Carlos Alazraqui and Cedric Yarbrough of "RENO 911" performing their new skit-based improv show.
SFB unanimously awarded $36,957.84, citing the $10 ticket price as too expensive. This was lowered to $5. CUB requested $20,000 to bid for Chelsea Handler and $15,000 for "RENO 911."
"I don't see this being very popular seeing as how expensive it is," Matthew McCann, senior representative, said.
"Instead of shooting for two middle acts you should put your eggs in one basket and shoot for something bigger," he said.
Sheil Naik, Student Government Association (SGA) assistant representative, agreed with McCann, adding, "It's too expensive for the talent that's coming."
There was a general consensus that the price wasn't worth the talent.
Although SFB almost denied funding, it decided to fund the event with a $5 ticket price instead of $10. The event is scheduled for Kendall Hall on Feb. 23.
In preparation for Black History Month, the Black Student Union (BSU) requested funding for nine different events. It requested $210 for the "Minority Representation in Contemporary Films" event. All of the money would be for a reception meal.
The event is scheduled from 7 to 10 p.m. and some of the members believed that at such a late time, food shouldn't be the main focus of the event.
"Students should really be eating beforehand," Maya Wadya, assistant financial director, said. "People are distracted by the food and wouldn't come just for the event."
Some members inquired about the current SFB food policy, only to find out there is no formal policy in writing. Prior to Wednesday's meeting, SFB had been using a case-by-case basis to determine when to allocate money for food.
Some members thought the board should be consistent with its food decisions.
"People (student groups) are already planning out their semesters," Kimberly Ings, SFB financial director, said. "We can't change our policy halfway through the year."
SFB voted 9-5-1 for full funding, but further disagreed on the food policy throughout the meeting.
BSU requested $1,249.95 for the "Closing Ceremonies Formal: The Harlem Renaissance Resurrected." SFB voted 12-3 for full funding.
A "Black Inventors" lecture was awarded $280 by a 7-6 vote. The money will go to Sodexho Dining Services for a hors d'oeuvres reception. A visiting professor from Princeton University will lecture on black engineers. This event will take place on Feb. 21 in Brower Student Center 202 E.
BSU asked for $180 for two different events. The first event, "Graduate School Workshop," was unanimously denied funding. The $180 was requested for food for the workshop, in which The Princeton Review would lecture about graduate school.
Some SFB members felt they had an obligation to be consistent. In the past they have awarded money for food to groups for similar events.
SFB is planning on documenting a food policy in the near future that will be sent to student groups on campus.
BSU also requested $67.20 for food at a "Manage Your Money Wisely" workshop, where National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) will teach students how to effectively manage and save money. It was denied funding by a 14-1 vote.
The "Parle With Us Poetry Slam" event was unanimously awarded $2,090. An African-American poetry group will tell educational stories depicting black history. It will take place at the Rathskeller on Feb. 26.
"From the Bronx to Benin Dance Workshops," was awarded $170 by a 10-3 vote. SFB subtracted the cost of $10 for water bottles.
During this event, students will learn different ethnic dances from samba and salsa to jazz/hip hop and African dances. This event will take place in the Cromwell main lounge on Feb. 6.
BSU requested $91.97 for two documentaries on Hurricane Katrina. One of the films proposed was by director Spike Lee.
However, because BSU does not have the licenses to show the film and has not requested funding for the licenses, SFB denied funding.
For the event "Cultural Tasting: Raising Your Palettes," BSU received full funding of $68.70 by an 8-7 vote. The event will take place on Feb. 5 in the student center.
