Congress will help fund SALT’s annual year-end recycling project this semester.

The Service Action Leadership Team traditionally hosts an event at the end of each school year that encourages students to exchange unwanted items with the entire Abilene community. Items brought to the event can be taken by anyone free of charge, and are thus recycled rather than thrown away.

Andrew Saucedo, Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building representative, introduced a bill to Congress in its meeting Wednesday requesting $563.73 for food and drinks at the year-end recycling project. Saucedo said providing refreshments could encourage more people to participate.

“It could be 100 degrees,” said Saucedo, junior biochemistry and Christian ministry major from Tyler. “The volunteers and the people that come out don’t have anything to drink.”

Congress passed the bill unanimously. SALT’s year-end recycling project will occur on Dead Day. SA now has $1,086.27 remaining in the congressional project fund.

JP Ralston, COBA representative and executive treasurer candidate, introduced a bill to help purchase harlequin reversible vinyl for Cullen Auditorium. The bill was tabled.

After reading his bill, Ralston invited Omega Dance Company member Kelcie Broom to explain the need for reversible vinyl.

“The stage in Cullen is wood and at this point, it’s splintering,” said Broom, senior art major from Richardson. “We were dancing on it on Monday and we had to stop practice three times because people were bleeding from getting cut from the floor.”

The vinyl, a rubber-like material, would be rolled over the stage in Cullen when needed and would cost a total of $4,203.81. Ralston’s bill would provide $1,000, with additional funding having come from the President’s Circle Dinner and Student Life.

Broom explained that Omega Dance Company would own the vinyl and would rent it out to other groups, such as Sanctify or Swing Cats, for a fee. This was not mentioned in Ralston’s bill and caused several Congress members to have some reservations.

Spenser Lynn, senior class president, said he didn’t want other groups to feel the need to pay Omega to avoid a shared problem.

“I’m uncomfortable with the idea of buying something this expensive for one group,” said Lynn, senior physics major from White Oak. “It’s awful that the floor is cutting your feet.”

Broom ultimately expressed doubt about the ownership of the vinyl and whether other groups would be required to pay for its use. Congress voted to postpone addressing the bill until it had more details.

SA meetings are conducted Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m. in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building Room 114. Meetings are public and anyone is welcome to attend.

Absent members:

Gabe Elorreaga, senior class vice president

Simon Jowett, senior class treasurer

Brady Kile, junior class president

Bryson Shake, junior class vice president

Bo Braddock, junior class treasurer

Ethan Morman, freshman class president

Austin Wade, freshman class vice president

Nicole Rowlad, freshman class treasurer

Brad Hall, Mabee Hall representative

JP Festa, Barrett Hall representative

Alice Hodde, Smith-Adams Hall representative

Elizabeth Cansino, SRWC representative

Connor Vansteenburg, off campus representative

Emily Schuster, Hardin Administration building representative

Stevon Carr, COBA representative