The Student Government Association voted unanimously to propose the giveback fund policy and a proposed resolution to support the RA union formation. 

SGA Executive Treasurer Nandan Nair proposed the policy, which allows SGA-affiliated organizations to give back a portion of their allocations for the year after the end of the academic year to the SGA appeals budget. The process would be made through a form and a unanimous vote between the president, vice president, and treasurer would be required to take place. 

Previously, any unused funds from the allocation, given through the annual budget request (ABR) process, would automatically go into the following year’s appeals budget. At the end of the 2022 to 2023 academic year, there was about $25,000 in unused allocation funds, according to Nair.

The giveback fund policy would allow for the returned funds to be absorbed immediately into the appeals budget, providing quicker access to money for organizations that request more financial help. 

“Everything we do is for financial equity and making sure every Emerson organization has a chance to succeed,” said Nair.

The policy is set to take place in the Spring 2024 semester. 

An amendment to the list of senators was also unanimously voted on. Additionally, a new draft of the constitution was passed, providing increased flexibility and space for the enactment of bylaws to ensure continued efficient operation. 

SGA also unanimously passed a resolution proposed by Charlize Silvestrino, SGA executive president, and Angus Abercrombie, SGA class of 2026 president, to show support for the Emerson Union for Resident Assistants (EURA). 

“I personally feel it is the responsibility of this organization to support the workers on campus and the students on campus,” said Abercrombie. 

Silvestrino emphasized the significance of RAs and their job responsibilities, which encompass much more than what people might expect. This includes providing mental health support, emergency care, and undergoing intense training to prepare for their job that spans many hours.

“I can attest to the fact that it is a lot more than lockouts and bulletin boards,”  said Matt Guerber, an RA in Little Building. 

This resolution comes after college officials announced on Thursday that they would not recognize the EURA as a union, and would instead seek a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) secret ballot election.

The NLRB is a federal agency that conducts elections for unions, to allow voters to vote without any influence. 

“If this is how democracy works and this what so many people want to happen, I don’t see why not,” said Silvestrino

The goal with this resolution is to see what SGA can do to help support the RA union. 

“I cannot see a reason to not support the RA union in this critical stage,” said Martin Tran, SGA honors senator. 

The Communication, Politics, and Law Association (CPLA) filed an appeal with the SGA treasury. The cost of its D.C. trip was reduced from $12,894.22 to $7,992.62, a 38.45 percent reduction through funds accessed from allocation.

Abercrombie described this achievement as an “opportunity to save students more money. The CHARIOT has been a huge success story.”