Two organizations were given their requested funds for graduation ceremonies at the Associated Students Senate meeting in the University Student Union’s Grand Salon April 25.

The meeting, however, faced no major concerns, except for the senators having to make their budget decisions carefully, as the unallocated reserves account is nearing its limit.

A.S. Director of Finance Bryanne Knight brought eight action items to the attention of the Senate.

Nearly all of the requests for money were granted.

One request from the Armenian Student Association to allocate $400 for their event, “Mosaic of Armenian Arts” on May 5, was postponed until the May 2 meeting.

The Pilipino Graduation Ceremony, hosted by the Filipino American Student Association, and the Chicano Latino Graduation, hosted by the Chicano Latino Graduation Committee, were given $688 and $740 from the unallocated reserves account, respectively.

Two summer events were also given money from the unallocated reserves account.

Two students, one of whom spoke to the Senate through an interpreter during the meeting, were given money to attend a College Bowl event.

The students, both members of the Deaf CSUNians, will be participating in the College Bowl from June 29 to July 1 this summer.

Members from the Black Student Union also received money to attend a conference in July. Brandy Wilson, president of the BSU, and Sharonda Johnson, historian of the BSU, were given $600 for travel purposes.

An e-mail was read to the Senate from Wilson.

“This is extremely important for your African-American constituents to (experience),” the e-mail read. “We are traveling to Africa, not another city or state. It is expensive.”

Peter Gallego, director of A.S. Legislative Affairs, was kept from recent meetings due to traveling he had to do for his work in A.S.

At the April 25 meeting, he had news about student fees and also made it clear that he needed the help of other senators to continue to do his job effectively.

In his work in recent weeks, Gallego was able to learn what will happen to students’ tuition this fall.

“Our student fees will remain the same, because the governor has (allocated) more money to education in the CSU,” Gallego said, adding that this could be a byproduct of tightening in state financial aid.

President Chad Charton, however, noted that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s decision to allocate more money to education must first be passed by the Legislature.

In recent weeks, the Senate has seen its share of drama when it at first offered the Black Graduation Committee only $1,000 for its graduation ceremony, only to double that amount a week later.

On April 18, the Senate faced long hours as it approved a budget for the 2006-07 school year and denied additional funding to Student Production and Campus Entertainment, which was forced to move the Big Show 6 from May 10 to an undetermined date this fall due to construction delays and the high prices for musicians.

Lauren Robeson can be reached at lauren.robeson.79@csun.edu.