Tuesday, Oct. 13, the College of William and Mary’s Student Assembly Senate passed two bills. The senate approved additional funding for Busch Gardens Day and the 10th annual Sankofa Gala. Senators also swore in a new graduate student representative, and Attorney General Tom Chesnut ’27 presented on parliamentary procedure.
Special Business
The senate swore in Nton Kirkland MBA ’28 as the new Raymond A. Mason School of Business senator.
Chesnut then delivered a presentation outlining proper parliamentary procedure. He emphasized the importance of maintaining order, allowing members to participate in fair debate, and ensuring senate meetings run smoothly.
Chesnut highlighted several guiding principles, including respecting the presiding officer’s authority, upholding procedural flexibility, and ensuring each senator has input.
“It allows for flexibility, but you have to go through the motions to do things,” he said. “It’s flexible but not flax.”
Chesnut also distinguished between points and motions. Senators can request factual information or clarification on procedural rules, raise concerns about meeting conditions and challenge procedural errors, so long as they are not asserting a partial opinion.
Senators can also amend motions, appeal decisions made by the presiding officer or request different voting methods.
Chesnut clarified the circumstances under which unanimous consent may be used, typically for procedural matters.
He concluded by encouraging senators to contact the attorney general’s office with any questions or concerns.
Old Business
The senate passed the Increasing Funding for Busch Gardens Day Act, following discussion about the event’s costs and future attendance projections.
In response to a question about additional costs, Anne Arseneau ’89 MA.Ed ’92 said the administrative allotment available to Student Leadership Development staff or other funding resources would cover any remaining expenses.
“This gives us a much better ability to project costs next year,” she said.
Arseneau also recommended that future organizers plan for approximately 1,000 attendees, explaining that the estimate would help balance ticket affordability with the risk of overstating demand.
Arseneau added that organizers could have offered 660 tickets for $29 each while charging additional students full price.
Arseneau also suggested organizers should explore other sponsorship options to fund and offset future costs. She said the deal the College received this year was more favorable than anticipated, which likely will not occur next year.
The senate subsequently passed the legislation.
The senate also approved the 10th Annual Sankofa Gala Act, following discussion about the event’s accessibility and funding history. The yearly celebration honors Black history and culture on campus.
Class of 2028 President DeVaughn Henry ’28 emphasized the importance of promoting the gala to the broader student body.
“I want to emphasize that it’s open to everyone,” he said.
He shared efforts to increase awareness of the event, including additional advertising and collaboration with various student organizations. Henry outlined a plan to incorporate a fashion show featuring other campus groups.
Vice President Sophie Kennedy ’27 addressed the level of criticism funding for the gala has faced in previous debates
Kennedy emphasized SA’s overall goals.
“The role of Student Assembly is to uplift marginalized communities and marginalized voices, and this is a great way to do that,” she said.
Executive Updates
The executive encouraged SA members to voice their opinions on Williamsburg Tomorrow, a comprehensive plan update for the City of Williamsburg, at a community workshop Wednesday, Oct. 28.
