SA passes bill funding Phi Beta Sigma Evening of Black Expressions
The assembly passed a bill to fund promotion efforts for its upcoming elections, such as a cameo from popular TikTok creators A.J. and Big Justice. This photo is from a previous meeting. Ella Chan | Asst. Photo Editor
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Syracuse University’s Student Association approved funding for the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity’s Evening of Black Expressions event during its Monday meeting. SA also passed a bill to fund promotional efforts for its upcoming spring elections as part of larger efforts to increase student participation.
Ryan Goodrich and Mark Nzasi, the fraternity’s president and vice president, said the event intends to bridge the gap between SU and the Syracuse community by recognizing Black artists and student organizations in the region. The fraternity has hosted the event for 48 years and offers an array of awards for excellence across the community, including the “Women of Distinction” award.
“We hope to continue to both build on this legacy, celebrating excellence, strength, and connections and uplifting the voices that shape both this university and the Syracuse community at large,” said Nzasi.
Goodrich and Nzasi said additional funding from SA will help increase the event’s outreach and participation, as well as celebrate SU’s multicultural organizations. The association unanimously approved $2,036 in additional funding for the event. Evening of Black Expressions will take place on March 22.
The assembly also passed a bill to fund promotion efforts for its upcoming elections. The bill funds a cameo from popular TikTok creators A.J. and Big Justice and sets aside money for donuts during tabling events.
During SA’s spring 2024 elections, 743 students — or 4.7% of the undergraduate population — cast ballots. Less than 10% of the student body voted in its fall 2024 elections. As the April elections approach, SA members have said driving up student engagement is one of their highest priorities.
“This is an effort to get more people to understand that they need to vote,” SA Vice President Reed Granger said. “If we have to get cameos from these people, then that’s the way to do it.”
The association also unanimously passed a bill to cover catering for its April 10 Take Back the Night event, which will bring together and support survivors of sexual and domestic violence. The event is hosted to give a forum for survivors to speak on their experiences and build allyship on campus, according to the bill.
Other business:
- The assembly reallocated $9,000 set aside for SA and SU Greek Council’s collaborative “Prevent, Report, Support: Together Against Sexual Assault” speaker event, Granger said.
- SA’s Vice President of Community and Government Affairs, Luis Gomez, introduced a bill to cover the expense of student shuttles to the CNY Regional Market on March 30. The assembly will vote on the proposal during its next meeting.
- SA passed bills to fund events during the university’s Multicultural Week and graduation stoles for graduating SA seniors.
- As part of its Spring Into Action annual community service week, SA will help fund “ready-jars” of non-perishable food items, SUNY ESF representative Bailey Cunha-Bustamante said. The jars can be accessed at ESF’s food pantry.
