A lecture and workshop hosted by world-renowned psychologist Dr. Albert Ellis was one of several events approved for additional funding by the Student Government, Inc. at their meeting held Monday evening in Council Hall.
In total, the board voted to provide nearly $10,000 of its Special Allocation Fund to various student organizations.
SGI voted unanimously in favor of the presentation by Ellis, sponsored by the Student Psychology Association and expected to draw a crowd of 200 to 400 people.
“It’s going to be an hour lecture and an hour interactive workshop,” said association president Courtney Jaffe, who presented with treasurer Lindsay Pettine. “He’s going to take volunteers from the audience, and he’s going to present his therapy in front of everyone.”
Each of two volunteers will receive a half hour of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, which Ellis articulated in 1955.
Ellis, who founded the not-for-profit Albert Ellis Institute in 1968, has discounted his normal $25,000 lecture fee to $600, which will be donated to his foundation.
The event will be held on Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. in the Marillac Auditorium, and admission is free.
Student Government denied funding to the United Sikh Association’s Bhangra Bash, originally planned for this Friday in Marillac Terrace. Association vice president Samrina Kahlon was on hand to promote the event, requesting $1,466.20 for a traditional Indian band, the stage for them to perform on, and decorations. An ethnic fashion show would highlight the evening, with participants paying for their own costumes out of pocket, she said. Profits would be donated to charities for orphans.
“The whole point of our organization is to enhance the University’s knowledge of our culture, our heritage, our religion,” she said. “We want to give [the event] a traditional Indian look where you walk in and say ‘Wow’.”
Despite a budget committee recommendation for approval, however, the government voted against it, suggesting a possible violation of the SGI guideline that says all paperwork must be handed in four weeks in advance. Kahlon apologized and cited a family emergency that kept her away for two weeks.
“But what about our event?” she asked after the decision, which may have come too late to be appealed.
The Bhangia Bash will go on as planned with or without SGI funding, Kahlon said.
The Student Affairs Committee announced their tentative plans for the Winter Carnival, to be held in early December. The theme will be “Let it Snow,” co-chair Fabrice Armand explained, with each aspect of the carnival relating to snow in some way.
“Basically, its going to be activities, every day, for 7 days, from Dec. 1 to Dec. 7, that all students can participate in,” co-chair Isha Haley added.
Planned events include a carriage ride dubbed “Dashing Through the Snow,” a snowflakes poetry exposition, the ceremonial lighting of the tree, and the Snow Ball dance.
In other decisions, Student Government approved the allocation of $3,500 to the Organization of Latin American Students, Lambda Pi Upsilon Sorority, Inc., and Delta Phi Omega Frasority, Inc. for their Annual Latin Club Night, to be held in Marillac Terrace on Oct. 25.
The organizations are co-sponsoring the event in celebration of Latin Heritage Month, with 50 percent of profits benefiting a scholarship fund set up by the Latin Heritage Month Committee in conjunction with the Educational Talent Search Program.
Student Government also voted to provide funds to the Guyanese Students’ Association for their Fourth Annual Diwali Celebration on Nov. 8 in Council Hall and the APhA Academy of Students of Pharmacy’s four person trip to the Mid-year Regional Meetings in Mystic, Connecticut beginning Oct. 25.
