By Jackie Delaney
Production Manager
The Student Finance Board allocated funding for several multicultural requests at its weekly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The Chinese Student Association was allocated $3,038.28 for “CSA Tea House,” an event that promotes “the sharing and exhibition of student talents and Chinese culture through on-stage performances and cultural cuisine,” according to their information packet. The board funded the event with the stipulation that the sound technician they use is from the College. The event will feature a variety of teas, Asian cakes, pastries and other food, as well as performances from the group’s traditional dance team, “Dragonflies.”
“It’s a very nice, relaxing event,” the Chinese Student Association said. The event is planned for Friday, Nov. 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Travers/Wolfe Lounge.
The Indian Student Association was fully funded $1,610 for its Diwali dinner, an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn.
“It’s a time or period of prosperity, where a lot of the North Indian community comes together… it’s a night of festivities, fun and excitement,” the Indian Student Association said. “We want to bring this to the TCNJ community.”
The dinner will include traditional Indian food from Persis Indian Grill in Hamilton, N.J., as well as games and activities for attendees. It is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Education Building, room 212.
The Muslim Student Association was allocated $109.32 for its Monthly Academic Speaker Series. They plan to bring Imam Sohaib Sultan from Princeton University to speak about “being thankful and looking for guidance in times of stress,” according to the information packet.
Sultan has a Master’s in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations, as well as a graduate certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy. He is currently the chaplain for Princeton University’s Muslim Student Association.
The event is open to all students.
“The purpose of the talks and the content of the talks would not just be focusing solely on Islamic topics, but also more topics about reflections on life and reflections on whatever is happening,” MSA said.
The speaker series will start Monday, Nov. 23, at 8 p.m. in the Business Building Lounge.
MSA was also funded $18.92 to provide refreshments at their Jummah prayers, which are held every Friday throughout the semester. The “congregation prayer” begins with a sermon and is followed by the prayers. Afterward, “it breaks off into a social gathering” for students to meet each other and interact, MSA said. The request included funding for light refreshments for this part of the event. The prayers have been held on campus every Friday for the past two years, according to the group.
“Over the years, I’ve seen the congregation growing and I’ve also seen an increased interest in non-Muslims who have attended and started attending our Jemmah prayers regularly,” MSA treasurer Urma Jalil said. “I want to bring some refreshments in just to make it more welcoming… and (it’s) a nice way to regroup after the congregation.”
The Jummah prayers are held every Friday throughout the semester in the Spiritual Center at 1 p.m.
The Student United Way was funded $438.49 for its “Oxfam America Hunger Banquet.” The event is a nationwide movement “with the mission to end poverty and hunger.”
The banquet features a role-playing scenario “of what it is like to being in the three classes — upper, middle and lower,” according to the request. The group is aiming to start a conversation about income and hunger, according to the packet. The banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Business Building Basement Lounge.
Delta Epsilon Psi was fully funded $917 by the board for its “Sugar Free Comedy,” an event that will be part of the group’s philanthropy week. The comedy show will feature Chelcie Rice, who performs for corporate businesses and audiences across the country, raising awareness for Type 1 Diabetes, according to the group.
The fraternity hopes to raise awareness about Type 1 Diabetes and “educate people about the lifestyle adaptations (and) dietary restrictions it entails in a light and humorous (way),” the information packet said. The event will be held Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Education Building, room 212.
The Panhellenic Association was allocated $4,639.40 for “Let’s Talk About It,” an award-winning lecture by speakers, educators and activists Kelly Addington and Becca Tieder. Addington and Tieder, both survivors of sexual assault, “connect with audiences in a way that leaves participants thinking differently about sexual assault, bystander behavior and the opportunity we all have to leave our communities than we found them,” the information packet read. The program is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 8:30 p.m. in Kendall Hall.
The Sophomore Class Council’s request for a moonlight cruise was revisited by the board at the organization’s Wednesday, Oct. 7, meeting. The event was previously zero-funded after a request for $9,914.40, but the board waived its bylaw and allowed the council to re-present, as it aim for consistency in their allocation of funds.
At this meeting, the event was funded for $8,694.90. The cruise, which is a “class unity event,” according to the packet, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The Inter Greek Council was allocated $22,141.42 for TCNJam, a year-long fundraiser that “culminates in a 12-hour dance marathon,” according to the group’s information packet. The money raised supports medical research and the families of children with cancer through the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.
“We are leading our entire community to come together and achieve a unified mission of both financial and research advancement,” the council wrote in the information packet. TCNJam will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6, from noon to midnight in the Rec Center.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
