The SGA Senate passed a resolution to honor “It’s On Us Week,” advanced legislation requesting better funding for student participation in research and approved funding requests for several student organizations Thursday.
Starting Monday, the SGA will host several events during “It’s On Us Week” to raise awareness about sexual violence on college campuses.
“The week features a variety of educational programs, activities, and opportunities for students,
faculty, and staff to come together and show their commitment to ending sexual violence,” Morgan Patrick, SGA press secretary, wrote in a press release. “The SGA encourages all members of the campus community to participate and help foster a culture of respect and responsibility.”
Three events will headline the week. On Monday, Glory Bound Gyro Co. will donate all proceeds between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center, a 24/7 sexual assault crisis center that provides care to survivors of sexual assault.
On Tuesday from 5–9 p.m., Heat Pizza will also donate proceeds to the SAFE Center if customers mention the SGA when they check out.
On Wednesday, the SGA will table on the Student Center Lawn with the UA Law Domestic Violence Clinic, an organization that provides free legal assistance on civil matters to survivors of domestic violence in Tuscaloosa County.
At each event, students will have the opportunity to sign a pledge showing their dedication to ending sexual violence.
“This [resolution] is to honor anyone who has faced sexual assault and also raise awareness,” said Senator Hailey Adams, who authored the resolution.
The Senate also advanced a resolution requesting more funding for students to participate in conferences and research. The resolution must be approved by the Financial Affairs Committee before it’s enacted.
Senator Vamsi Undavalli, who authored the resolution, said that the maximum funding students can request from the Graduate School for attending conferences and working on research projects is often insufficient to meet student needs.
The Graduate School can provide up to $500 for students to travel to conferences within North America, and $800 if traveling beyond. Funding for research is limited to $300 within North America and $600 beyond. Departmental funding can match what’s provided by the Graduate School, but that often still falls short.
Undavalli said that conferences within North America could cost students more than $1,500 to attend, and those beyond could cost more than $2,400. Without University support, that money must come from external grants or directly from students’ pockets.
If the maximum funding request is increased, Undavalli said that it will give students more opportunities to participate in research and strengthen the University in turn.
