By Brian Bohl
Corporate sponsorships and government grants could lead to more money and larger budgets for University clubs, Peter DiSilvio, the Student Government Association president, said Wednesday.
His remarks came during an open forum at the Student Center Theater during common hour. Along with the student representatives, seven administrators also sat on a panel to answer questions ranging from public safety issues to residential maintenance concerns.
But when asked specifically about expanding capital for clubs, DiSilvio said the SGA's comptroller is researching potential types of government grants. Those funds could potentially be added to the student activities fee that currently generates the most money for campus organizations.
Angela Sanchez, the Appropriations subcommittee chairwoman, is also working on partnerships with private business in the hopes of soliciting sponsorships for specific clubs or events, said DiSilvio. The SGA used the crew team and a potential sporting goods company sponsor as an example of a type of sponsorship that could lead to more funds
"It's true to a certain point we spend a lot of money. We have about 120-plus clubs," he said. "We're working to try and bring in more money to the student government for clubs and events."
DiSilvio also said that SGA is working with Al Kelly, Vice President for Development, and other members of the school's Alumni Relations office so that University graduates can make contributions to individual organizations.
"We're working towards tapping our old alumni to create a list so that people can donate directly to clubs," DiSilvio said.
While club budgets might be increasing, school officials said there will most likely be no change in parking availability. Even with a new residential building under construction on the north side of campus, Ed Bracht, the Public Safety director, said there are better ways to use the resources, adding that there are no immediate plans to build a parking garage or create more spaces.
"I know nobody likes the idea of walking too far, but we do have enough spaces on the north campus," Bracht said. "Parking garages run close to $15,000 to $20,000 per space. You have to look at it at like this: do we build another new academic building or a residence hall and park further up, or do we build a parking garage that is quite expensive?"
"It is something that is brought up on occasion, but it's not something on the planning board right now," he added,
The African Peoples Organization sponsored the forum, which included Provost Herman Berliner's opening comments about increasing diversity among the faculty and administration.
"At the end of the day, we are committed to bringing the best faculty to campus," Berliner said. "This remains a major priority for the president and the provost's office, and we're saying to everyone involved in the hiring process to please do everything you can to make sure you bring the [most qualified] person to Hofstra University. "
Berliner also said Long Island's high-cost of living, compared to many other national suburbs, has hampered recruitment of faculty. He also said the demographics in the campus' surrounding area has made hiring non-local professors more difficult, thus hindering the ability to increase diversity.
"The faculty we're recruiting are also faculty being recruited elsewhere," Berliner said. "The Long Island environment to some extent hampers our efforts. Long Island is a very expensive area with a lot of segregated communities that aren't particularly welcoming."
Co-host Joshua Lanier, Club Affairs Chair, asks the panel questions about the diversity on campus.