The Student Association voiced its support for Rutgers University and its women’s basketball team in a bill passed Monday. It describes talk show host Don Imus’ comments about the Rutgers’ team as ‘racist, sexist, slanderous and deplorable.’

‘It shows that we get off the Hill, we look at daily events and we decide what is right and what is wrong,’ said assembly member Neville Williams, who introduced the bill. ‘Essentially, it shows that we are aware.’

The bill will be sent along with a letter to the Rutgers Student Assembly, Williams said. Parliamentarian Marko Markov suggested Williams compile a list of SU student organizations who would want to send the bill with SA.

The association also held a moment of silence in response to the shootings at Virginia Tech University on Monday morning. The moment was held at the request of President Ryan Kelly, through a statement read by Markov.

‘In the spirit of Chancellor Cantor’s words, I would like for us to take a moment of silent reflection about what has occurred,’ Kelly said in a written statement, referring to the chancellor’s comments about the shootings in an e-mail sent out Monday afternoon.

Kelly and several other SA members were not at the meeting because they were attending the Gala Awards.

Housekeeping

Markov, who chaired the meeting, congratulated the association for winning the Dean of Students Award for Positive Advocacy at the gala. The award was given to two student organizations and one individual.

‘This is something everyone in here should be proud of,’ he said, holding a plaque SA had received.

Budget deliberations started Monday and continue through Sunday, Markov said, reading the comptroller’s report in place of Comptroller Mike Rizzolo, who was not at the meeting.

‘Everyone should be signed up this week to attend for a half hour,’ he said.

The budget meeting, during which SA will approve each individual budget submitted by student organizations, is next Monday at the assembly meeting.

South Campus survey

Surveys were sent to South Campus residents April 9, said Joe Wieder, chairman of the Committee on Academic Affairs. The surveys cover general questions about life on South.

One survey was sent to SkyHalls residents, while the other went to students living in apartments, said Jessica Oster, co-director of public relations, after the meeting.

The survey – created and administered by the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment – was sent to all South residents, Oster said, although some assembly members at the meeting who lived on South said they had not received it.

‘It should be up in two to three weeks,’ Wieder said. The results will be used to formulate recommendations that will be presented to the chancellor.

New openings and Taking back the night

The position of Board of Elections and Membership chair will be vacant next semester, said Crystal Beavers, who currently holds the position. Markov added that the only Judicial Review Board member is graduating this year and that position needs to be filled as well.

Student Engagement Chairwoman Katherine Chillscyzn asked assembly members to attend the Take Back the Night Rally this Wednesday.

‘We did co-sponsor it, so it would be great if everybody could come,’ she said.

The next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday in Maxwell Auditorium. It is at an earlier time because of the budget hearings.

Published on April 16, 2007 at 12:00 pm