The minutes for the May 20th SGFC meeting are posted here.

I’d like to take a moment and thank the members of SGFC for staying true to the spirit of Scav Hunt when they heard the budget for Scav Air this spring. Their silence made it possible for the Scav Judges to fly eight unsuspecting Scav Warriors to Las Vegas.

By all accounts (Maroon, Scav Blog) it was an excellent addition to this year’s festivities. I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the committee for its role in making this possible.

I’d also like to lay out the SGFC request which was for $4,686.97, which was not included in the official minutes. This is the first time we’ve ever had a ’secret’ budget and it only really worked due to this year’s SGFC surplus.

The $4,686.97 went to fly 11 students, eight warriors and three judges, to Las Vegas and then put them up in Hotels for the adventure. Scav does not normally receive any SGFC or Annual Allocations funds.

I’m pleased to announce the arrival of five new picnic tables, brought to you by the Executive Slate working in conjunction with College Council and Campus Services Committee. Funding was provided thanks to the Student Government Finance Committee.

These tables were secured with the help of the Facilities Department and were chosen to match the main quad’s aesthetics. The five tables will be located near Kent, Ryerson, behind the C Bench, and in the Classics and Social Sciences Quad (See the map). They will probably arrive by early June.

Along with these tables, the Facilities Department has pledged to also order eight new benches which will compliment the new benches.

Enjoy! And hopefully they’ll get here before the end of the quarter.

The minutes for the May 13th SGFC meeting are posted here.

CORSO Meeting
May 6th, 2008
Mintues

Attending: Christian Brockman, Jay Kim, Matt Kennedy, Kathryn Benesh, Tal Kopan

I. Sodalitas Presentation/Q&A
A. Presentation
1. We don’t want to limit the group to just publication
2. We’d like to have a more informal forum for ideas
-include publications, but also a blog, meetings, study/discussion groups with writers, readers and professors
B. Q&A
1. Why have your own publication if emphasis is on fostering community? It’s difficult for publications to get funding.
-it’s very difficult for undergraduates or anyone to get published, particularly if you just have a brief idea or discussion-starter; there’s just no forum for it
2. Would you benefit more from an academic or publications advisor?
-an academic advisor would probably be more helpful, but crossover is possible too
C. Discussion
1. This sounds like a fantastic idea for undergraduates
2. It isn’t CORSO’s job to deny RSOs based on difficulty of future funding
3. Individual student goals/desires vs. student life improvement?
D. Motion to approve RSO: (4-0,0) PASSED

II. Oeconomica Presentation/Q&A
A. Presentation
1. Majority of group’s time would be devoted to research, working with faculty
2. RSO used to exist; economics department has asked for a revival
3. Most of what we do is interact with professors, have seminars/workshops
5. This is explicitly different from publications about consulting/finance; more about theoretical research and topics less commonly taught/studied
6. UChicago should be a center of such activity, with its economics reputation
B. Q&A
1. Is this research in itself or for the end goal of publication?
-right now it’s research for its own sake
-we expect to publish, but it isn’t the main focus
-department likes to see examples of undergraduate research
2. What sort of publication would you see down the line?
-at most twice a year, since it’s a journal with a small base
-old group published and ~80 page academic journal
3. Will you be working with the economics department to find other publishing outlets for students?
-department already does that to some degree, but there are few/no undergrad publication opportunities
C. Motion to approve RSO: (4-0,0) PASSED

III. RSO Applications
A. Chicago Public School Support Network
1. Comments
-support for students from CPS who come here
-sponsorship of schools for recruiting purposes
-specific programming? New contributions? Already a lot of different existing outreach programs
-appears to be tied to overall University recruiting initiative
-do they really need RSO funding? – social instead of community service?
-would it be better as a subset of the admissions office or OMSA?
-doesn’t seem like the best way to create a support network
-maybe we should discuss this with Wallace
2. Motion to approve RSO: (3-1,0) PASSED
B. UChicago Maya
1. Comments
-they would be a unique addition
-this would be more technical/competitive than just about fun
-if they have enough participation there’s no reason to stop them
2. Motion to approve RSO: (4-0,0) PASSED
C. Stop, Drop, and Raas
1. Comments
-any current members can change by-laws, not just officers?
-another competitive dance group
2. Motion to approve, with recommendation to make amendment process more democratic: (4-0,0) PASSED
D. SDS
1. Comments
-how is it different from other social justice groups?
-it’s a national organization for radical social change; specifically not about electoral politics
-anything about nonviolence? Considering history of organization
-can’t deny based on political/social beliefs
2. Motion to table, pending more information from group: (3-1,0) PASSED
E. Management of and Investment in Colonies and Resource Operations (MICRO)
1. Concerns
-Invite us to the LAN parties!
-Order of the Blistered thumb?
-Incorporate all video games?
-Related games
2. Motion to table pending more information: (3-1,0) PASSED
F. Cotton Gin
1. Comments
-concerns that it is not unique from other creative writing publications
-the group could just write, and then submit to other groups
2. Motion to deny RSO status: (4-0,0) PASSED
G. Reading Novels Out Loud
1. Comments
-Just funding for food?
-Are the by-laws complete?
2. Motion to table, pending resubmission with bylaws: (4-0,0) PASSED
H. Colleges Against Cancer
1. Comments
2. Motion to approve RSO: (4-0,0) PASSED
I. COUCH
1. Comments
-sounds similar to Woodlawn Initiative, Puppet Posse
2. Motion to deny RSO status: (3-0,1) PASSED
-Note: If you would like to reapply, we would like to hear about the differences between your group and groups that sound very similar.

The minutes for the May 6th SGFC meeting are posted here.

Each year, outstanding RSOs, events, and publications are recognized by the Committee on Recognized Student Organizations (CORSO) and honored for their work at the Student Leader Awards Reception. This year there will be SEVEN awards:
* Outstanding RSO Award
* Outstanding NEW RSO Award
* Best Event Award
* Best Publication Award
* Best Funding Award
* Best RSO/ Event You’ve Never Heard of Award
* The People’s Choice Award

To nominate an outstanding RSO, event or publication for an award, please submit the application by 5:00 p.m., May 12th. Completed applications should be sent to sg-corso@listhost.uchicago.edu.

To vote for the People’s Choice Award click here.

The minutes for the April 29th SGFC meeting are posted here.

The minutes for the April 22nd SGFC meeting are posted here.

The minutes for the April 15th SGFC meeting are posted here.