Student Government will debate three acts regarding the funding of political organizations, freedom of speech and expression and the use of renewable energy on campus.

Sen. Jacob Schrader will be introducing an act titled “Allowing the Funding of Political Organizations.”

According to the act, which references the court case Rosenberger v. University of Virginia, “the exclusion of several views is as offensive to free speech as the exclusion of only one.”

The act states the Student Government 2020 Priorities and Criteria were in violation of this ruling because of their restriction of funding political activities, and asks for a change in the 2020 Priorities and Criteria.

A resolution will be introduced, titled “Endorsing Iowa Senate Study Bill 1099 and House File 316.”

The resolution states that regardless of the outcome of the vote on Senate Bill 1099 and House File 316—identical bills related to free speech, expression and the declaration of outdoor areas of campuses public forum—Student Government asks that Iowa State clarify their policy on students’ freedom of speech and expression on campus.

Sen. Courtney Beringer will introduce a resolution titled “Climate Commitment Plan”. The resolution recommends Iowa State switch their electrical power from entities that burn fossil fuels to renewable energy companies and urges the administration to make a Renewable Energy Transition Plan.

Along with these acts, Student Government will discuss funding requests. 

The Cultural Ambassador’s Program, a semester-long peer mentoring program open to all international and U.S. students and scholars, is requesting $3,725.84 to offset costs of materials, advertising and employing a student worker in an effort to raise membership and advertise their program.

The men’s volleyball club is asking for $1,031.04 to assist in decreasing their costs for club members’ transportation to two out-of-state competitions: one in Illinois Feb. 22-24 and one in Colorado, April 11-21.

The National Society of Black Engineers is requesting $3,965.20 to help pay for 35 students’ conference registration and transportation for a regional conference in Michigan March 21.

Lambda Theta Nu is requesting $154.86 to assist in paying for supplies and a continental breakfast for their first annual Latina Youth Leadership Conference, where “30 middle school girls of color are invited from Marshalltown, IA to attend workshops over professionalism, self-love, how to navigate higher education as a woman of color,” according to the funding request.

A bill, titled “Schrader and Tupper’s Great Chapter 5 Rewrite,” containing senators Jacob Schrader and Michael Tupper’s suggestions for bylaws changes regarding Senate policy will be discussed in the meeting as well.

Student Government will also seat Jack Bender, a sophomore in accounting, as a business senator.

For more information or to contact your senator, visit stugov.iastate.edu. The senate meetings are open to the public at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union.