Northern Black Choir approved to receive $4,000 in funding
February 23, 2009
The Sky Room at the Holmes Student Center filled with cheers and applause during Sunday night’s Student Association meeting as the senate unanimously approved the Northern Black Choir’s request for supplemental funding.
Along with the 31 out of 37 senators in attendance, most of the NBC showed their support by also attending. They rejoiced knowing they will receive the $4,000 they requested.
“We want this to be an opportunity to uplift the community,” said NBC President Chris Mitchell. “We have something we’re going for, and we’re going to push until we get it.”
The NBC is actively fundraising to help pay for workshops and new instruments, but the supplemental funding will be used to help pay for a performance by famous gospel singer Micah Stampley, including transportation and lodging costs. Stampley will perform at NIU on March 21 and 22.
Following this approval for supplemental funding, the SA’s supplemental funding budget has been brought down to about $49,000 for the remainder of the semester.
With SA executive elections approaching on March 24 and 25, the SA unanimously approved for a polling station to be set up in Barsema Hall.
The SA believed there was a need for a station in Barsema Hall since it is located farther away from the other designated polling areas.
After addressing the logistics of setting up a station, the SA brought it to the meeting for approval.
“Because things have come under budget, the SA can afford it,” said SA President Brent Keller. “Hopefully we’ll get more students out and be more involved in our elections.”
The final item on the meeting’s agenda was for the approval for support of the NIU Student Affairs Division’s new initiative called Dialogue on Diversity.
The initiative looks to promote diversity on campus and foster positive reinforcement and conversations among students and student organizations.
“It’s easy for students to focus on some negative things that are happening on campus and not on the positive things that are also happening on campus,” said Matthew Venaas, speaker of the senate.