By Jackie Delaney
News Assistant
The Student Finance Board met to decide on the last funding requests for this year as well as several high volume College Union Board requests for next semester on Wednesday, April 29.
First, SFB presented for its Base Budget Retreat, a two-day meeting the organization holds annually to review every SAF-funded organizations’ base budget request. According to the proposal packet, over $250,000 is allocated over the duration of the retreat. The retreat was fully funded $1,700 by the board.
The College Union Board then proposed for $2,000 for its annual Summer Retreat and Training trip in August.
The retreat serves as “an opportunity for the new executive board to bond with one another through various activities while also having a designated time to train,” according to the proposal packet. SFB tabled the proposal after discussing the time frame requested for the event, which was planned for three days and two nights. The board was torn over whether the three day trip was too excessive.
CUB then requested $37,620 for the Fall Lecture to be held next semester.
The organization’s top choices for lecturers include Laverne Cox, Shawn Johnson, Steve O and Tyler Posey. Cox is an American actress known for her role as Sophia Burset on “Orange is the New Black” and for her advocacy for LGBTQ awareness. Johnson is a retired American gymnast and a 2008 Olympic gold medalist. Steve O is an actor, stunt performer and comedian, among other titles, and is known for his stunts on the TV series “Jackass.” Tyler Posey is an American actor and musician, best known for his role as Scott McCall on MTV’s “Teen Wolf.” CUB hopes to bring one of these speakers to campus in the fall and expects a high turnout, as these lectures have been “successful every time.” The event was fully funded by the board.
Next, CUB proposed for the Fall 2015 concert. The annual event usually features a band that the “TCNJ music community has expressed interest in” and that appeals to a large amount of students.
CUB’s list of possible bands include The 1975, Bleachers, Walk the Moon, Cage the Elephant and The Gaslight Anthem. In deliberation, the board discussed eliminating a charge and ticketing for the event.
The event was fully funded at $79,068 and will still be ticketed, but will be free to students if agreements can be worked out with the band that is chosen.
CUB then presented for the Fall Comedy Show as its last request. The organization asked for funding to bring its first-choice headliner Bo Burnham to campus, or the second-choice headliner Nick Kroll. Alternate comedian options include Hannibal Buress, Cecily Strong and Kate McKinnon. SFB fully funded the event for $53,130.
Student Government then requested a total of $728.99 for Finals Fest 2015, which is set to take place from Tuesday, May 12, through Friday, May 15. The event “helps to raise student moral and energy on campus during the stressful week of finals,” according to the proposal packet. The board fully funded the event.
Lastly, TCNJ Musical Theatre proposed for $11,140 for their fall production, “Godspell.”
The show’s purpose is to “entertain our peers, provide our organization’s members with valuable experiences and use the theatre facilities on campus in constructive and creative ways,” according to the proposal. The annual Black Box musical will take place from Tuesday, Nov. 17 to Saturday, Nov. 21 next semester in the Don Evans Black Box Theater. It was fully funded by SFB.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
