A student government committee recommended an idea to create a student internship service on campus that would provide a central database for students during a meeting last night.
Associated Students of Madison Intern David Gardner presented the student intern service idea to the Student Services Finance Committee to be evaluated.
“Because they’re becoming more and more competitive, there is a need for people to have some assistance in finding internships,” Gardner said. “There’s a lack of outreach, and people aren’t advertising internships as much as they should be.”
Rep. Laura Checovich said she was in support of the preliminary idea because it would serve many students on campus and is something students would be interested in.
Disagreeing, Rep. Tia Nowack said she thought the idea was valid but she did not feel comfortable using student segregated fees to fund the service with the state of the economy and impending budget cuts.
As a result of Monday’s meeting and in accordance with the Campus Services Process, SSFC Chair Sarah Neibart will create a procurement board made up of ASM and SSFC representatives to determine how the service will be implemented. The body will then contract out to groups wishing to provide the service.
During its meeting, SSFC also rescinded a policy violation on the part of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztl?n, deciding the occurrence did not constitute a violation after tabling the issue from last Thursday’s meeting.
Last week, Neibart reported to the committee that a violation occurred when MEChA handed in a co-sponsorship form for an event put on with Wunk Sheek later than the designated deadline.
In addition, she said the group did not end up paying for the event because the entertainer said he did not want to receive payment.
Rep. David Vines said he felt no violation occurred because no segregated fees were spent, and since Wunk Sheek did not end up contributing monetarily to the event, there was no co-sponsorship involved.
MEChA CulturArte Director Jeanette Martin also argued that no violation had actually taken place.
“Just because of symbolism and solidarity, Wunk Sheek was on the flyer,” Martin said. “I organized the event. I wasn’t paid, and there wasn’t any money put into printing flyers except for one.”
Rep. Dan Posca said he felt it would be irresponsible of the committee to ignore the way the group turned in its co-sponsorship form late, and he felt a violation had been incurred.
SSFC ultimately voted to rescind the violation with a majority vote.
The committee also voted to fine Badger Catholic $94.20 for a wage policy violation incurred when a staff member worked 10.5 hours over the allowed 20 hours per week.
Badger Catholic Chair Nico Fassino sent a letter to the committee apologizing for the group’s second wage policy violation this year.
In addition, the committee unanimously approved Greater University Tutoring Service’s 2012-2013 budget of $164,983.69.
Supporting Peers In Laid Back Learning also presented its proposed 2012-2013 budget of $67,980.80. SSFC will reach a decision regarding the budget during Thursday’s meeting.
