USGA approved a resolution in support of establishing a class fund gift account that would support the Student Affairs Emergency Grant and the UAB Human Rights Trail.
The passage of the resolution, co-sponsored by College of Arts and Sciences Senator Kyle Adams alongside Chief of Staff Kimmy Chieh and Vice President of Finance Sarah Tran, means USGA will work alongside Student Affairs to establish a class gift account that will support the emergency grant created by Student Affairs and funding of the human rights trail.
The emergency grant would eventually replace the COVID-19 Emergency Fund created by USGA, Student Affairs and the Graduate Student Government to assist students with emergency needs unrelated to the pandemic. The human rights trail will consist of 14 placards on UAB’s campus detailing historical events and figures.
“The legislation specifically is a resolution in support of this initiative. They’re going to be trying to convince students to donate the amount of money that corresponds with their year of graduation,” said Kyle Adams, College of Arts and Sciences senator and vice chairperson of Senate. “Class of 2022 would donate $20.22. It would just be some money that could go to one of two different specific spots of donation.”
Adams said he hopes this will lead to more traditions among the students and more long-term connections for alumni.
“I think that’s one of the things that a lot of schools that are older have a lot of luxury of having, but UAB is definitely a young institution, and we don’t have a lot of traditions set in stone,” said Adams. “I think this is going to present a tradition that doesn’t tap into Student Affair’s budget or their tuition money or anything like that and allow students the opportunity and option to participate in traditions and really set up the university for success in the future.”
The resolution passed 17-2 with the dissenting senators being John Ellis Kuykendall from the College of Arts and Sciences and Jonathan Baker from the School of Public Health. Ellis said he needed more answers before voting for the legislation such as why there aren’t other avenues being considered.
“I feel like some sort of delayed program might offer a better perception or a better end goal,” said Ellis.
