Student Senate rescued the University Rowing Club from financial difficulty Thursday. Much of the team's equipment was damaged by flooding two weeks ago. Though the team originally requested more than $2,900, the Funding and Recognition committee submitted a request for the team of only $1,337.50. Student Body President Erik Michaels-Ober expressed concern that the organization would have difficulty raising the rest of the money needed, as the team already relies heavily on fundraising.

Michaels-Ober told Senate of an emergency fund reserved for exceptionable and unforeseen circumstances. He asked that Senate use this fund to accommodate the crew team.

Hearing this, Senate raised the allocation to $2,650 – since the team would receive $250 from its insurance – and it was unanimously approved.

Senate also approved a special allocation for the Taiwanese Student Association for Culture Night, and gave non-funded recognition to Engineers for a Sustainable World, a group dedicated to promoting sustainable solutions for engineering problems.

Student Body Vice President for Finance Steven Kling reported to Senate that, at its last meeting, the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) vetoed the funded recognition status awarded to the Dance Marathon Committee by Senate in the spring. He said this would not affect the Marathon event this weekend as the organization did not receive funding this year.

GSA vetoed Dance Marathon's status out of concern for the organization's long-term viability. They were also worried that the Committee lacked a clear purpose: is it an organization dedicated to raising money for charity, or for hosting a party? Student Government's constitution forbids money from the student activities fee to go to charity.

Kling also asked Senate to approve an assistant for him. Daniel Papasian, who lost the election for the position to Kling by 16 votes in the spring and is already employed as Kling's clerk, was nominated for the position. The appointment was approved unanimously.  The position of assistant gives Papasian the power to audit student organization budgets.

Andrew Moore, Activities Board chair, announced that the emo band Taking Back Sunday will perform on campus on November 12. He was not able to say definitively whether Michael Moore will be rescheduled.

Finally, Senator Josh Yearsley motioned for Senate to hold a town hall meeting for a discussion of how the student activities fee is used for political speakers. Michaels-Ober offered support in hosting this event, which was approved without dissent.