The Student Government Association (SGA) approved $5,579 in contingency funds, appointed a community outreach liaison and heard updates from Dining Services at its Tuesday meeting.
$3,000 to Madison Investment Fund
The SGA unanimously approved Madison Investment Fund’s (MIF) request of $3,000 to attend the Quinnipiac University Global Asset Forum in April.
MIF is a student-led organization that manages real money from JMU as part of its investment training; because of this, it’s not allowed to solicit any forms of fundraising and needs funds from SGA to cover the conference expenses, Chief Operating Officer Karl Huber said.
“It would be going against how the foundation handles gifts,” Huber said.
Sophomore senator Benjamin Reeves added that the group handled around $800,000 for JMU’s endowment, and that it offers things “that typically aren’t provided in a class environment.”
“The numbers are going to conferences, [retaining] that knowledge and sharing it with the community, which is open to the College of Business and all students,” Reeves said. “Which makes an extraordinary opportunity that’s not usually offered on campus for individuals and students to get to know a little bit about a College of Business organization.”
$2,579 to Madison Saxophone Society
The SGA also approved contingency funds towards the Madison Saxophone Society. The club plans to host renowned saxophonist Steven Banks to campus and have him offer masterclasses and personalized lessons to School of Music students on Oct. 25.
“This is a good opportunity for people who are saxophonists or just people within the School of Music to get a glimpse into the mind of one of the elite players of a classical style of instrument, and observe the way that he teaches,” sophomore Madison Saxophone Society President Connor Dunford said. Dunford added that priority for this event will be given to Madison Saxophone Society members and those in the saxophone studio.
Banks is requesting $2,200 for his services, and the club plans to split those costs between his stay at Hotel Madison, food, and transportation, junior treasurer Jaylen Swafford said.
“It’s really cool not only having someone who’s really experienced and [..] credible in that industry, but they’re doing lessons with that [as well],” representative sophomore Evan Khanna said.
Grilled nuggets for a punch at Chick-Fil-A
The SGA heard a presentation from JMU Dining Marketing Manager Heather Holsinger and Culinary Director Seth Condor.
The duo announced that grilled nuggets will be available only at Festival’s Chick-Fil-A for a punch and 82 cents, and plans to phase out the term “punch” and change the Duke Deal Logo.
“A lot of the first-year students coming in and parents touring, we’re explaining things using punch and swipe and punch and swipe, and they are so confused,” Holsinger said. “So since you actually swipe your card, we’re going to swipe.”
Dining Services also discussed some of their recent awards, including their Princeton Review rank of No. 3 for Best Campus Food and an honorable mention from the National Association of University and College Food Services (NACUFS).
“There’s a lot of different categories for nutrition, sustainability, different events, themed events, and all that jazz,” Condor said regarding NACUFS. “So we’re always going to try to accomplish and put our names on the map.”
Community outreach liaison appointment
Sophomore senator Jayden Blackman was unanimously appointed as the community outreach liaison of SGA. As community outreach liaison, Blackman will be responsible for organizing JMU community service events and events within other campus organizations.
University Services Chairperson Alexander Hernandez said that Blackman is “one of the most community-focused people [he’s] met,” and will be able to meet his duties in his new position with his “passion for giving back to the community.”
Contact JaMya Ribbon at ribbonjm@dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.
Dining and Cooking