Undergraduate Student Government approved a new business club, set goals for the three USG initiatives and allocated funds to several on-campus groups at its meeting Sunday.
Diversity Advancements
USG approved the Diverse Students in Business Club after a 16-5 closed ballot vote. The new club aims to educate students about different business practices in other cultures.
The vote was tabled from the council’s last meeting after it requested more clarification about the club’s mission. Director of Campus Life Margaret Cahill said the club is comparable to several other organizations on campus and has passed through all other levels of starting a club. 
“We don’t just decide this in Campus Life because we’re not students. We leave this up to (USG),” Cahill said.
HANA representative Jessica Algoo voiced concerns with Dining Services and diversity. Algoo said Dining Services allegedly filled incorrect orders for some clubs around campus, including serving pork egg rolls to an Islam-based club when the order specified a vegetarian option.
President Jenna Johnson notified the council that some clubs are not following protocol, ordering meeting food directly from the venues at the time it’s needed and not four days in advance. Student employees are also allowing clubs to order food that aren’t catering options.
USG has already been in contact with Dining Services to increase fresh fruit and lactose-free options in all dining venues, and Johnson said she will discuss these arising issues with Dining Services as well.
International Student Representative Raymond Kindva announced a program that will allow students to volunteer to bring an international student home for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Initiative Progress
The senate organized committees and set goals for the three USG initiatives, and Johnson said the calendar activities smartphone application is likely to debut by the end of the academic year. A survey will be sent to students to analyze what information will be useful to include in the app.
Life balance committee chair Anna Burns said research shows that it’s unlikely a live TED Talk speaker will come to campus due to budget restraints. However, the committee has organized free fitness classes for Nov. 1 and Dec. 1.
The Tommie citizenship committee is looking to use a swipe system to keep track of student involvement in volunteer activities, similar to the STAR’s Fanamanics program.
The Tommie Takeover committee announced Tommie Tuesday giveaways will start Nov. 19, and the committee ordered hats, sweatpants, shirts and ponchos to hand out. Committee chair Michael Gaytko said the group is looking into sending students reminders about three upcoming Tommie events each week via text message or Microsoft Outlook.
Budget Approvals
The council approved several budget requests, including a $1,300 allotment to the Summit Singers to host a concert. Vice President of Financial Affairs Anne George said exclusive groups, like the Summit Singers, typically do not get USG funding, but the money was permitted because the event will be open to about 400 students.
Although SHINE requested more than $12,000 for transportation and food costs for an event, the club was granted $4,345.
George said Catholic Studies Inc. asked USG for $1,900 to host a dance, but the financial committee allotted $200 because it was unsure if the club had made a mistake in the paperwork.
Anastasia Straley can be reached at stra0669@stthomas.edu.