Sexual assaults, muggings and narcotics on campus in the past few weeks prompted a heavy discussion on student safety at Wednesday night’s meeting. Vice President of Student Services John Marshall briefed ASG on some safety concerns and clarifications during the Senate discussion.

In response to the growing concern, ASG Leadership has opted to develop a Safety Committee. The first meeting time has yet to be established, but an overwhelming number of senators have joined the committee, and after a preliminary discussion, it will be open to all students.

ASG 13-40 allocated $250 from the ASG operating budget to give senators and executives mugs as a work perk. The bill was unanimously approved 25-0.

A string of bills were also addressed to help ASG prepare for March 6. when Mav Awards applications and ASG election intent forms are due.

ASG 13-35 was reopened from last week. In a 25-0 vote, $846.31 will be allocated from the operating budget to hire Sodexo for Mav Awards.

ASG 13-41 requested an additional $1521.19, friendly amended from the original $846.31, for helium and 2,300 balloons. This garnered questioning from several senators, to which bill sponsor Senator Chelsea McDonald claimed the decorations would help the event look good. The explanation wasn’t good enough for 18 senators who voted in oposition of the bill which subsequently failed. Senator Ryan McConnell suggested that a similar decorative structure could be made out of recycled material and be more cost effective.

As the projection for next year stands right now, $67,000 will be available for next year, compared to $186,812 that came in the start for this year. FAC made the decision to roll over $30,000 from this year to next, leaving just over $5,000 available for SCRF this year. Typically if there is reasonable disagreement by the senate, they will vote to overturn the decision.

According to President Ariel Diamond, as of right now, there is no official vote scheduled because the senate doesn’t have to vote on the issue if they don’t see a need.

brjthomp@mavs.coloradomesa.edu