BTC recommends Catalyst to SA for student funding
The Student Association General Election ballot proposals this year include amendments to the SA Constitution related to blanket tax as well as amendments to the University Court Constitution.
Blanket Tax Reform
The blanket tax-related amendments to the SA Constitution will revamp the process of funding for subsidiary organizations and oversight. The amendments, proposed by the SA Blanket Tax Crack Team, call for a flat $85 blanket tax fee per student (not including the IM fee), which will then be allocated to subsidiary organizations. Current blanket tax organizations are assigned subsidiary status. A standing committee, comprised of students and advisors to subsidiary organizations, will review the blanket organizations’ annual budget and expenditures. The committee can decrease an organization’s funding by no more than 25 percent. Any surplus greater than 125 percent of the organizations approved funding will be returned to a pool of unallocated funds; this acts as an initiatives fund for other organizations to apply for further funding.
University Court Constitution
The amendments to the University Court Constitution eliminate the position of graduate student representative, remove term limits for Court members and explain the process for choosing members. Additionally, the amendments clarify procedural rules, revise the Court’s relationship with Student Judicial Programs and review the Court’s mission and purpose.
To read the full text of the amendments and campaign statements, visit sa.rice.edu/ballotreferenda.
More from The Rice Thresher
Jones wins men’s and women’s Beer Bike races, GSA snags alumni
Jones College won both the women’s and men’s Beer Bike 2024 races, while the Graduate Student Association claimed the alumni team win. Hanszen College bike teams were the runner-up in the alumni and men’s races, while Brown College was the runner-up in the women’s race. Martel and McMurtry Colleges did not bike in the alumni race, according to the Rice Program Council’s final report, and the GSA was disqualified from the men’s race for accidentally sending out two bikers simultaneously.
Rice wraps up Conversations on the Middle East series, looks to fall semester
With the final session rescheduled to Wednesday April 17, the Conversations on the Middle East series is coming to a close.
Rice SJP hosts protest in response to S.RES 02 tabling
Rice Students for Justice in Palestine staged a walkout and protest in response to the tabling of S.RES 02, a resolution that proposed a divestment of student funds to Israel-aligned companies, outside the Allen Center, April 12. The protest occurred during Owl Days, when prospective students were touring the campus.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.