In order to meet quorum, which is the two-thirds majority needed for senators to approve funding, 15 out of 22 members need to attend.
Only 12 senators arrived for the second-to-last meeting of the semester, rendering the group unable to allocate money to any Registered Student Organizations.
However, the Gaia House was the only organization asking for money in the meeting; $350 for its annual vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner and $100 to help fund a Gaia’s Café, a late-night study session with coffee provided.
This was the first time the senators could not allocate money out to an organization.
Julie Grey, a member of the organization, said she and other members had to pay for the dinner out of their pockets since they didn’t receive the money needed to fund the event on Thursday. The Gaia’s Café night has yet to be scheduled, she said.
“It’s frustrating,” Grey said. “But that happens with bureaucracies and paperwork and people having to show up.”
Grey said it was a disappointment the Gaia House could not get the funding for its dinner, but she understands that sometimes people simply can’t show up for meetings.
“I think the USG is working very hard,” Grey said. “I know they’ve tried really hard to do whatever they can.”
Because the food for the dinner has already been bought, Grey said the stress of the money no longer matters.
USG President Priciliano Fabian said he was also frustrated the senators could not give the Gaia House its requested money.
“It was our fault that we weren’t able to get quorum,” Fabian said. “We have been working towards fixing that and e-mailing senators to let them know to go to the meetings or face impeachment or just resign.”
Fabian said he was very sorry the organization could not receive the money, but he’s confident the group will meet quorum in its final meeting.
John Kiwala, executive assistant for USG, said he has taken the responsibility of recruiting more members to become part of the senate. He said he has been working with faculty and staff to get recommendations.
“Once we have a lot more senators, you’ll see that a lot more meetings will be interactive,” Kiwala said. “We need to get it movin’ and boomin’.”
Erin Holcomb can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 255.
