A bill allocating funding to the “Compassion and Justice Consultation” with special guest Alice Walker was passed Tuesday night in the House of Student Representatives.
According to the bill, SGA will allocate $10,000 to support the event scheduled from April 28 through May 1 at TCU.
Melanie Harris, professor of religion and advocate for the event, said bringing Alice Walker would further TCU’s mission statement to help educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders in the global community.
Brent Folan, student body treasurer, asked where the money would go if allocated to the cause. He also asked if the amount was more than needed.
Harris said the money would be used to help complete the honorarium fund, as well as cover hospitality charges for Walker and other individuals involved in the consultation and surrounding events. She said the amount of money will be needed to cover all expenses involved in such a large event. Money not used will be returned in the appropriate percentages, she said.
Harris said scholars from universities such as Harvard and Princeton would be at the event, as well as groups in the Dallas/Fort Worth community dedicated to women’s rights and diversity.
Caroline Wiersgalla, vice president of external affairs, said even though the amount of money was more than SGA was used to spending, it would be well worth it. Wiersgalla said the event would leave a lasting impression not only on the TCU campus, but the entire North Texas community.
Harris said the event would include both discussion and a public reading of Walker’s novel, “The Color Purple.” This portion of the event will take place April 29 and would be open to the first 200 students registered. Alumni and other invited members of the community will be able to purchase tickets for $15 on a first come, first served basis.
On April 30 and May 1, Alice Walker will be participating will other scholars throughout the weekend to promote knowledge and diversity.
Trevor Melvin, the House Parliamentarian, said the chance to help bring this event to the TCU campus would further the university’s reputation for academic excellence. He said it could not get much better than hosting a Pulitzer Prize-winner with a reputation of compassion and excellence.
Bailey McGowan, a representative for the College of Communication, said the event would have a lasting effect on the university. It would empower and encourage TCU students, and should be something the university embraces when given the chance.
The bill passed with a majority vote.
In other news, a bill to update references to programming and student body code was passed.
Macy Pulliam, the Ad Hoc Committee chair, said the bill would name theCrew as the official form of on campus student programming. She said theCrew would receive 60 percent of the total SGA budget to program events for students on campus.
