Too long; didn’t read: 

• Second Bethel Student Council sworn in
• 2024-2025 Bethel Student Government budget proposed and passed 
• Bethel Lacrosse Club proposed and passed 
• Allowing for the role of an interim parliamentarian proposed and passed 
• Adjustment of allowable council absences proposed and passed

Second Bethel Student Council sworn in

The first order of business at Monday’s Council meeting was formally swearing in the second Bethel Student Council. New Student Body President Mild Du was sworn in, followed by Vice President Noah Schmit. Sophomore class representative Grace Fernelius, junior class representative Peyton Baker, senior class representative Greta McArthur and at-large representative Ellie Wasserman were sworn in as well. 

2024-2025 BSG budget proposed 

The first order of business for the second Bethel Student Council is the proposal of the 2024-2025 BSG budget. The total 2023-2024 allocated budget was $187,156.25. The 2024-2025 proposed budget is $174,000. While the proposed budget is less than last year’s, the initially proposed budget was $172,000. Various departments propose both a bare minimum operating cost budget as well as an ideal amount, which can be adjusted throughout the year based on need. Notably, United Cultures of Bethel saw a budget decrease from $15,750 to $12,000 due to the budget committee feeling their remaining $7,500 on this year’s budget was sufficient. The Student Activities budget received a $2,800 increase — from $25,200 to $28,000 — due to increased cost of events and orders associated with hosting events. The motion was moved to a vote where it passed by a vote of five for, zero against and one abstaining. 

Bethel Club Lacrosse 

The second proposal of the night was a proposal to establish a men’s club lacrosse team. The club seeks to establish a team that offers students an opportunity to compete in competitive lacrosse through the Midwest Lacrosse Association. After claims that BSG status provides the benefit of attracting new members and ensuring the team’s ability to compete as well as facilitating access field reservations and equipment with BSG funding, the motion was moved to a vote and passed unanimously. 

Interim Parliamentarian

Proposal 2.3 called for adding a subsection to the role of Parliamentarian. The role is currently filled by the Student Body Vice President, who may be incapable of fulfilling the role due to conflicting academic schedules and other legitimate reasons. The proposal allows for the Student Body President and Vice President to nominate a BSG executive to serve as interim Parliamentarian. Concerns were expressed over the role, as executives only have to attend one Council meeting a month and the interim role conflicts with that. However, it was proposed that the role could be a singular person or alternate based on the availability of executives. The motion moved to a vote and passed with five voting for and one against. 

Adjustment to allowable Council absences

The final proposal of the night, proposal 2.4, called for lowering the maximum number of absences for Council members from six to five. Stating that missing meetings makes it harder for the group as a whole to function and lowering the number of absences promotes stronger overall encouragement to not miss meetings, the motion was moved to a vote and passed unanimously.