Ski and Ride gets $10,000

The Student Government Association granted $18,930 in its final meeting of the year, including $10,000 to the Ski and Ride club to build a neveplast ski and snowboard surface to allow year-round activities.

"It creates opportunity for Lyndon," said Dave Johnson, representative of Ski and Ride. "We believe that when kids come here, this is going to add another awesome thing to campus."

Several members of the club came to Wednesday night's meeting in support of the proposed project. According to Johnson and club president Sam Pierog, a college in Virginia is the only place in the country to offer year-round skiing.

While many representatives believed this to be a good idea for an addition to the campus, some were concerned about the planning committee needing to approve it.

The motion to approve the request, made by Student Investment Group representative Andrew Chapin, was approved in a close vote by the body with 20 yes and 19 no.

Another major funding request came in the form of executive board compensation. This has been a hot topic in the past with representatives, with Vice President of Communications Justin Chenette vocally against compensation.

"I attribute this to soup kitchen volunteering. I volunteer at a soup kitchen and then two months later oh, I work hard, therefore I deserve a check," he said, adding, "The compensation is in the experience, not a check."

Despite Chenette's opinions, the SGA voted 25 to 16 to give $1000, the maximum amount allowable, to President John Kleinhans, $1000 to Executive Vice President Rachel Keller, and $500 to finance controller Nick Russo. In order to receive the compensation, each executive board member had to submit a letter of intent to adviser Shannon Healy and Jonathan Davis, associate dean of student affairs. They both decide what an appropriate amount to present to the SGA is, and the SGA can then vote to amend the amounts, choose not to give any compensation, or accept the suggestion.

Associate Dean Davis and professor of mountain recreation Jamie Struck requested $4000, which the SGA approved, to renovate the basement of the Harvey Academic Center to allow for bike, ski, and snowboard storage for students. The entire project will cost $4950.

WWLR received $500 for a disc jockey for its annual drag ball, as well as up to $1000 for a new automation computer, and The Critic received $680 for printing costs. Alpha Lamda Delta was granted $250 for a relay for life team.

LSC President Carol Moore addressed the SGA at the beginning of the meeting to say thank you for the leadership that it has exhibited.

"I have been inspired by students," she said, adding that although she has worked at four other colleges, "The Lyndon students are just a little bit more special."

The SGA also voted to approve changes to the constitution, which will now be voted on by the student body.