Photo Courtesy: Asia Moore, Staff Writer
Florida A&M University’s 53rd Student Senate met on Monday, February 5th, to tackle critical issues surrounding student activities. The session featured discussions led by the Director of the Campus Activities Board (CAB), Rikhari Lewis, who shed light on the pressing budgetary challenges facing the Rattler’s Den and Galimore Lanes.
Lewis brought forth Mel Waters, the recreational coordinator for the Rattler’s Den and Galimore Lanes, to address the Senate. Waters passionately described the bowling alley as an “electric area” on campus, hosting pivotal events such as freshman orientation and various social gatherings. However, he highlighted a concerning lack of budget that has forced him to decline events and prevented necessary equipment refurbishments.
The negative impact has extended to the women’s bowling team, and Waters expressed a desire to provide job opportunities for students, particularly a technician role currently in need.
“One of my areas, which is the bowling alley, is an auxiliary. In those auxiliary areas you’re supposed to make money, but it’s very difficult to make money when you don’t have staff,” Waters said.
“I only came today to make the Student Senate aware that, this area is suffering. I am super and highly underpaid but, that is not what I am here for. I want to help the facility grow. Some of the biggest recruiters that you will ever see on campus go into the bowling alley and the Rattler’s Den just to see what kind of activities that are being offered on campus. As far as activities go, campus is dead, I haven’t seen it this dead since living here for 20 years.”
The student senators received this information positively, recognizing the importance of these recreational spaces on campus.
Plans are in motion to explore avenues for additional assistance and improvement to address the budgetary constraints faced by the Rattler’s Den and Galimore Lanes.
In a separate proposal, the Global Medical Brigade (GMB) of FAMU sought funding for a charter bus to facilitate their upcoming mission to Ghana.
GMB FAMU aims to continue its commitment to serving impoverished communities lacking proper medical resources. While the trip itself has been funded, additional resources are required for a charter bus to ensure timely arrival at the airport.
Georian Smith, the founder and leader of GMB FAMU, shared that they reached out to various school associations and organizations, including the School of Allied Health at FAMU and the FAMU Alumni Association, but have yet to receive official aid. GMB has been very intentional about who they’ve reached out to, to ensure sponsors would be willing to give to their cause.
“There is a valid reason for the reservation because, the College of Science and Technology where I’m currently enrolled in, they’re not super open to giving out funding,” Smith said. “In terms of people and schools who are more generous that’s who we’ve been strategically trying to reach out to.”
The student senate expressed their support for the noble cause but clarified their inability to fund the brigade immediately due to limited access to budgetary funds. However, they expressed openness to reimburse the group once access is granted.
“The senate does do reimbursements, it’s looked down upon but of course if you truly feel like you guys can pay forward and come back, we can possibly reimburse you,” Chairman Jaylin Strappy said. “We want to find ways to help you, we just don’t have the money for it right now.”
The FAMU Student Senate announced the upcoming event “So You Think You Can Lead?” scheduled for Wednesday, February 7th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Senate Chambers. For more details, interested parties are encouraged to visit the FAMU Student Senate website and follow them on Instagram.
The senate remains committed to addressing campus concerns, fostering student leadership, and supporting initiatives that contribute positively to the university community.