On an evening that saw over $2,000 allocated to student events and clubs from the Associated Students of the University of Arizona funds, it was an event that was meant to bring the UA together that spurred the most discussion.
Two representatives from the ASUA’s Freshman Class Council stood before the senators at Wednesday’s ASUA Senate meeting and outlined their plan for the coordination of the homecoming float to be used for the upcoming UA football game against USC.
The float will take on a “”Wizard of Oz”” theme, complete with smoke and a “”tornado”” simulated by swirling Trojan gear. Individual graves marked by the paraphernalia of the Wildcats’ past victims from this season – Idaho, Toledo, UCLA and Washington – will line the top surface of the float. The float will be topped off with a miniature house on top of a pair of flailing legs donning Trojan-warrior-style sandals.
While only $850 was eventually granted by the senate in a close vote, the council requested a total of $1,200 for the float and its contents, the bulk of which would have been spent on $280 for plywood and $275 for t-shirts to be worn by members of the council.
While the senate was supportive of the float, Sen. Gabby Ziccarelli was concerned with the cost and suggested the possibility of the council paying for their own shirts, as the shirts cost about $5.50 each. She also pointed out that last year’s committee paid for their own homecoming shirts.
Sen. Jason Mighdoll took the opposite approach, suggesting instead that the funding request be changed to add about 100 more shirts for the rest of ASUA.
After his friendly amendment to increase the number of shirts was rejected, Mighdoll switched gears and suggested that the overall funding was excessive.
“”I do feel this is a bit much, I really do,”” he said.
Ziccarelli echoed Mighdoll’s concerns and made light of the situation.
“”I’d be really willing to give you the one pair of shoes (for the float),”” she said.
Ziccarelli then made a formal amendment to change the funding amount to $600, which was shot down by a vote of 9-1.
Sen. Matthew Ellis chimed in with a differing opinion, as he was confident the full amount would be spent well by the council.
Mighdoll would not budge, though, and still asserted that the amount should be lowered.
“”A thousand dollars seems high to me,”” he said.
In order to cut cost, Mighdoll made a friendly amendment to change the funding amount to $787, a proposal that was rejected.
After more disagreement, Sen. Emily Fritze entered the conversation as the voice of reason.
“”I would suggest we reach a compromise,”” she said. “”It seems like some of us want (the amount to be) $600, some want $1,000.””
Fritze suggested the council pay for their own shirts while making the grave paraphernalia themselves, which would lower the funding to a middle ground of $850.
A formal amendment on the changes passed narrowly by a 6-4 vote.
Although the amount was not the original $1,200 asked for by the council, committee chair Luke de Vogelaere was satisfied with the senate’s final decision.
“”It’s a fair amount that we were given,”” he said. “”I feel we will be able to accomplish a great float with that amount.””
