By Olivia Rizzo
Staff Writer
The Student Finance Board held its weekly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 28, and granted funding to a variety of events designed to promote education and community.
Inter-Greek Council (IGC) presented a proposal for TCNJam, a year-long fundraiser that culminates in an eight-hour dance marathon. However, after a lengthy discussion, the board decided not to allocate any funds to TCNJam. SFB’s bylaws state that they can’t allocate funds to charitable events. TCNJam is a gray area as to whether the dance marathon itself is a charity event even though all the fundraising for charity happens before the event. There’s been concerns about the ratio of Greek to non-Greek attendees and it was also brought up that they’d be allocating funds for IGC to throw a party to celebrate their fundraising efforts and they wouldn’t do that for any other organization on campus. The event is also similar to Relay for Life, which is held in- the spring, and SFB has never been allowed to fund the event due to the same by laws.
In past years, TCNJam has raised over $50,000 to support medical research and the families of children afflicted with cancer through the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.
IGC asked for funding for on-site games and entertainment, T-shirts, securities, facilities and food, which totalled $23,733.98, but was rejected on the premise that TCNJam is a fundraiser, and SFB traditionally withholds funding from fundraising events.
Later, PRISM was fully-funded for three proposals for various events during Queer Awareness Month (QUAM).
The organization first asked to bring actress and producer Lauren LoGiudice to campus, due to her work supporting the LGBTQ+ community and her work on HIV prevention in India.
LoGiudice will spend the day on campus to engage the College community through an interactive experience with Lions Television. She will then lead a workshop in the evening that focuses on “Queer History in Old Hollywood.”
PRISM was also approved to bring Skylar Kergil to campus. Kergil, a 25-year-old transgender activist and singer-songwriter from Boston, has earned YouTube fame from his documentation of his transition from female to male since 2009. According to the proposal packet, “he will bring attention to the issues transgendered persons face in society today as well as tell of his personal transition.”
Lastly, PRISM was funded for Big Gay Bingo, a QUAM tradition on the College’s campus.
“This is a fun night that spreads awareness of the LGBTQ+ community on campus,” the proposal packet read. The event is traditionally hosted by drag queens to get the audience engaged and laughing.
The Asian American Association then proposed a performance by The Filharmonic, an L.A.-based all-male Filipino a capella group. The group has been featured in “Pitch Perfect 2,” NBC’s “The Sing-Off” and “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”
The board voted to table the budget to be discussed at the next meeting, citing concerns about potential event locations and missing information in the proposal packet.
Later, Student Government (SG) proposed funding for its yearly T-Shirt Swap.
“This event promotes school spirit… This gives students who are not affiliated with an organization a TCNJ shirt to wear to Homecoming,” the presentation packet read.
SG requested funding for T-shirts, drawstring bags, smoothies, temporary tattoos and balloons for decorations.
The board voted to fund $13,818.89 for the event. The T-shirt swap will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 26, just before Homecoming weekend.
The Black Students Union submitted a proposal to fund its Personal Wellness Mug Decorating event.
“The Black Student Union wishes to hold a personal wellness program. This event encourages students to in the TCNJ community to participate in an activity that focuses on the development of personal wellness. Student will be able to come together and express themselves creatively through a DIY mug decorating project,” the proposal packet read.
The board voted to fund $142.21 toward the event. Personal Wellness Mug Decorating will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 8:30 p.m. in the Allen Hall Drawing Room.
The board also elected senior political science major Luke Hertzel to the open senior representative position.
Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
