Student Senate met for their fifth meeting of the fall semester on October 5, in which the 2023-24 Student Senate budget was affirmed, and the creation of a new student organization was officially approved.
Senate Treasurer Sophie Bierlein’s (‘24) proposed budget was discussed and affirmed. With the $34,000 Senate has at their disposal, $24,500 was allocated to fund student organizations. $13,000 is allocated for the fall semester while $11,500 is allocated for the spring semester. Bierlein explained why the funding for each semester differs.
“I told student orgs this year to apply for early spring events now since we had an issue with that last year,” Bierlein said. “It’s a little bit front loaded.”
The Senate also allocated $6,500 for their own expenses, including Luther’s “New York Times” subscription, the senior send-off, miscellaneous expenses, a Canva Pro subscription and Senior Shuffle t-shirts. Additionally, the Senate allocated $3,000 for student grants. This grant initiative was introduced in the spring of 2023 and provides an extra source of funding for students and their organizations. Bierlein offered examples to the senators for what the money can be used for.
“It’s just meant for Senate to have a pool of money for students or groups that maybe have a financial need that Senate otherwise couldn’t really fill,” Bierlein said. “We have students that want to travel for conferences but don’t necessarily have the funds to do so. Sometimes there are student orgs who are trying to do something on campus that they didn’t get full funding for, something that’s beneficial for the community. [It’s used for] things like that.”
President Jaraad Afroze Ahmed (‘25) pointed out that the grant money can be used for funding the ad hoc committees that were affirmed at the September 28 meeting. Bierlein motioned for the affirmation of the budget, and Council for Faith and Life Representative Kjerstin Halverson (‘24) seconded the motion. The Senate passed the motion, and the budget was affirmed.
In addition to affirming the budget, MerryMakers representatives Rosie Baldus (‘25) and Ombeni Goss (‘27) attended the meeting and were looking for MerryMakers to become Luther’s newest student organization. Baldus explained that the scripted comedy-based club would create a space for interested students to learn more about and practice various types of comedy.
“The point of this club is to get people who maybe have a lot of interest or a little interest in comedy to come with passion and explore [different] types of comedies,” Baldus said. “We have 25 people who signed up and are interested in a variety of different comedies, such as sketch comedy, improv, mime, slapstick and clowning.”
Following their opportunity to explain the purpose of the club, Senators were invited to ask Baldus and Goss questions. Director of Student Activities and Student Senate Co-Advisor Jenna Mockler-Gjerde (‘06) asked the pair how MerryMakers would be different from the improv troupe Top Banana. Baldus explained that MerryMakers would be performing comedy in a different format from Top Banana.
“Top Banana is a ten person improv troupe,” Baldus said. “They have shows every month and it’s mainly based on improv games. [MerryMakers] would be bringing more diversity of comedy, so we might do a little [improvisation], but we would focus more on scripted comedy.”
After answering the Senators’ questions, Baldus and Goss were asked to leave the room for the Senate vote. The Senators in attendance unanimously approved the creation of MerryMakers. Senate’s approval allows MerryMakers to begin club activities.
Senate will meet again on October 12 at 9:45 a.m.
