The Slippery Rock University Student Government Association (SRSGA) met at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2 to discuss financial requests, the proposal of two new student organizations and the cancellation of the Master of Science in Athletic Training program.
Finance
VP Thomas Freilino said the SRSGA started the academic year with $339,284.50. The association has used $51,973.30 in new initiative requests, leaving $287,311.20 remaining.
The SRSGA approved Athletics’ initiative request of $30,000 for insurance and a provisional maximum of up to $37,949 for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoffs. Any unused portion of the provisional allocation will be returned to the SRSGA.
“The reasoning behind this is that Athletics has to front their budget, meaning that this is not the actual cause of the playoffs,” Pavlicko explained. “This is the projected amount of all teams if they were to make it to these championships and do very well in the playoffs. The actual amount then is based on whatever it takes.”
Rock Pantry+
Sen. Sami Corbin provided an update on SRU’s Rock Pantry+, reporting 940 visits between Aug. 24 and Oct. 29, including 133 new visitors this semester.
Corbin said pantry leadership expressed concerns about insufficient outreach and discussed potential social media collaborations with the SRSGA to increase awareness and promote the pantry’s growth.
Rock Pantry+ has introduced mini pantry locations, expected to expand in the spring semester, and evening hours for students who cannot visit during regular operating hours, with the next one scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5, from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.
The pantry is also discussing the possibility of introducing a peer navigator program that would allow students to meet with another student to discuss their living and financial situation, being connected to a professional if necessary.
Rock Pantry+ is currently funded through the Hunger-Free Campus Grant and it is applying for funding for the spring semester. If the pantry does not receive the grant, it would likely request approximately $60,000 from the SRSGA.
New Business
The SRSGA approved Chess Club and Run with Christ as new student organizations.
The association also approved Alexander Davis for a position in the SRSGA Judiciary Branch and Jillian Horniko as a first-year senator.
Amendments to the SRSGA Constitution and bylaws were approved.
Master of Science in Athletic Training program cancellation
Approximately 30 students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members attended the meeting to discuss the cancellation of SRU’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program.
Seven students and five community members voiced their concerns to the SRSGA about the decision’s effects on students’ educational plans and the future of the athletic training profession during an open forum.
Pavlicko said the SRSGA will meet with the provost Wednesday to discuss the concerns and share the perspectives presented at the meeting.
“I’m so glad that you came. And I’m so glad that you trust us enough to come and speak,” Pavlicko said. “…We have a lot of really good words and a lot of good stories and facts. We’re going to have a really meaningful conversation.”
