The St. Thomas Undergraduate Student Government convened Sept. 13 for its first general council meeting of the 2018-19 academic year.

Vice President of Student Affairs Karen Lange and Executive Director of Health Services and Wellness Center Madonna McDermott presented about the new Center for Well-Being, which is planned to open in October 2019.

Last spring, USG allocated $94,754 to hire three new part-time Counseling and Psychological Services counselors to assist during peak need times and bump one already hired part-time counselor to full-time.

Director of Retention and Student Success Tonia Jones Peterson and Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies Wendy Wyatt presented an update on the Center for Student Achievement. In May, USG allocated $100,000 for the establishment of the center.

USG Elections

Election packets were due at noon Friday, Sept. 14. There was a mandatory candidate meeting at 4 p.m. the same day, with campaigning starting immediately after.

Voting begins at 8 a.m. Sept. 20. Campaigning will end and ballots will close at 4 p.m. Sept. 21. Candidates will be notified of the results by 8 p.m.

Funding

USG approved funding for eight clubs.

In internal funding requests, USG approved $1,008 for Pre-Health Professions Club, $504 for Hmong United Students Association, $561.75 for Catholic Medical Association and $672 for Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Achievement.

In campus-wide funding requests, USG approved $6,000 for Saudi Club’s Saudi National Day, $1,742 for Desi South Asian Club’s 10 Days of Non-Violence and $600 for Computer Science Club’s Game Night.

In conference and competition funding requests, USG approved $431.25 for Pre-Law Society/Mock Trial’s U of M Undergraduate Mock Trial Battle.

Samantha HoangLong can be reached at hoan1058@stthomas.edu.