On Friday, March 6, the University of North Florida Student Government (SG) committees met to approve funding for multiple clubs and organizations, select March’s survey topic, and propose revisions to the SG Constitution.

During the University and Student Affairs meeting, senators discussed student thoughts on OzFest and addressed senatorial responsibilities, as explained in SG bylaws.

During the Budget and Allocations Committee meeting, committee members heard many financial petitions from UNF clubs and organizations.

University and Student Affairs Committee

For March, the USA Committee decided the Osprey Voice would function as a post-OzFest experience survey. According to USA Chair Shipton Macdonald, it was important to receive student feedback on the 2026 Ozfest experience.  

“With Ozfest being today, Senator Jack [Yanow] and I were talking before the meeting started,” said Macdonald. “Some questions I’d like to see are how students would feel about making Ozfest a longer event with more artists, and artists being smaller.” 

With no scheduled SG committee meeting until March 27, SG Senate Pro-Tempore Winter Slaughter asked Macdonald how the survey would be created and distributed before the end of the month.

Macdonald replied that an emergency meeting for the USA Committee will be held to create the survey’s questions before Spring Break.

The committee unanimously approved the survey topic. 

Title XII Revisions

During the meeting, Macdonald proposed that senators conduct Osprey Voice monthly, unless the Senate President and the Legislative Supervisor approve exceptions for unforeseen circumstances.

Additionally, instead of Finals Frenzy, Macdonald proposed the USA Committee to be responsible for Midterm Madness, a multi-day event that hosts uplifting events and provides materials beneficial to students. 

Macdonald’s proposals would revise Title XII of the SG Constitution. 

The committee unanimously passed the revisions, which will be subject to Senate approval.

Budget and Allocations Committee 

The B&A unanimously approved multiple travel and special requests during the Friday meeting. Before the requests, the travel request budget was $17,984.42, and the special request budget was $74,179.21.

The Latin American Student Organization (LASO) petitioned for $5,231 for their annual gala on April 9. 

LASO President Gerardo Diaz Espinoza said the end-of-year event includes announcing next year’s executive board, awarding current members and celebrating Latin and Hispanic culture with formal or cultural attire, food and dancing.

During the discussion, Senator Benjamin Shmia said he attended one of LASO’s events and commented on how good the food and music were. 

The committee unanimously passed the request. 

The committee heard two other special requests from the Fencing and Hema Club and the Sculpture Guild.

According to the Fencing and Hema Club, the requested $3,429.48 would go toward fencing equipment, such as synthetic swords and protective gear, for the upcoming Florida Intercollegiate Fencing Conference. 

The Sculpture Guild’s request of $1,517.41 would go towards the Spring Art Fest 2026. According to the club’s representative, the funds will mainly cover the cost of pizza and soda. 

“In the past years, this event has had hundreds of students in attendance, and we expect a higher engagement this year with all of our clubs growing in size,” said the Sculpture Guild’s representative. 

The committee also approved three travel requests from the American Chemical Society Club (ACS), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the Osprey Swimming Club.

The ACS travel request was $596.49. According to the club’s representative, the funds would help 12 club members attend the ACS Spring Conference in Atlanta, Ga. 

The ASME and Osprey Swimming Club also submitted travel requests, requesting $977.18 and $631.89, respectively. 

Up Next

The SG Senate will meet on Friday, March 27, at 12 p.m. in the Senate Chambers (Bldg. 58E, Room 3200).

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