They Will Not Go Quietly Into the Night
SA Senate Meeting Sunday Night
Photo by: Joe Horning
By Joe Horning
Sunday night, droves of people packed into the Fireside Lounge for the Student Association Senate meeting. The majority of the crowd was members of the nineteen club sports at UW-Milwaukee. They were attending after receiving word that the SA funding to the new Sports Club Program.
After the SA got its usual business out of the way, they opened up to an open forum, to let various members of club sports come let their voice be heard. William Mansfield, the representative of Black Cat Ultimate Frisbee, and Jose Matamoros, representative for the club hockey team, presented first, detailing how much club teams meant to each and every member of every club. They also presented numbers detailing what they need and why. As previously reported, the clubs requested around $490,000 to cover all programs. The SA gave a significantly lower number, around $170,000, $30,000 of which is subtracted for emergency purposes. This estimate they gave is what they need for basic equipment and travel expenses. It doesn’t include things like field/ice fees, payment of officials, coaches salaries, and gas.
Jose Matamoros making his presentation to the senate.
Photo by: Joe Horning
After Jose and William, as well as a rousing supporting speech by Jimmy Lemke of PantherU, a member of the Equestrian Club came to make her pitch. Until this point, numerous members of the Senate were racing in and out of the room, trying to solidify plans and financials. During this speech, a couple senators and club team members discovered there was a big mix up.
The funding the Sports Club Program was to be provided by an addition to student segregated fees. The club presidents were told it would be a $4.25 fee, which led to their $170,000 estimate. They were under the impression the $4.25 fee was for the entire school year, when in reality the SA meant $4.25 every semester, meaning $8.50 for the whole year. This brings a much closer figure, around $385,000. While the clubs are still short of their estimate, it helped quell the feelings of a lot of the club sports members.
After discovering this, as well as some more input from other club representatives, the Senate took roll call to vote on the budget. Unfortunately, the senate did not meet Quorum, and could not vote on the matter. They adjourned for the night, and left the matter to another day.
While it appeared a tie, many members saw the evening as a victory for club sports. About seventy or so members filled up the room, making it known they would not stand idly by and let their funding be cut.
The large crowd of club sport members that showed up to let their voices be heard.
Photo by: Joe Horning
A meeting time and place is still being decided between the SA and the club presidents. The extra time will allow for more thorough inspection of finances between the two sides.
UWM Post Sports 