On Sunday, a relatively large group of 19 out of 23 Student Union senators recognized two education-related clubs, chartering one, while they turned down the umbrella organization Brandeis Associated Nerd Groups for recognition. The Senate also approved a $2,000 Senate Money Resolution to support an effort between various groups to bring CollegeHumor to campus.

In its first order of business, the Senate quickly recognized and chartered the club Hobby Hour, which aims to bring Brandeis students together to teach each other various skills and hobbies in hour or half-hour seminars. Areas in which club leaders said they had seen interest expressed included web design, ballroom dance, crochet and improvisational comedy.

After a brief discussion on the possibility of duality of purpose with other clubs, the Senate ultimately approved the group. Charles River/567 Senator Daniel Schwab '14 asserted that the club would likely encourage students to join other clubs, if it had any effect on their membership at all.

The discussion on duality of purpose regarding BANG had a different outcome. There was some disagreement amongst senators about what the senate's role was regarding umbrella groups, and it was agreed upon that a clear policy should be developed later. After a spirited debate, BANG was not recognized.

The club's leaders said it seeks to promote collaboration between its eight member clubs, which include common-interest clubs such as the Brandeis Anime and Cosplay Association, Game Knight and Console Gamers X, but has no jurisdiction over any of them.

The club Education for Students by Students was also recognized. According to club leaders, its mission is to promote a "love of learning" in local high school and middle school students by having Brandeis students teach their skills and interests at an event each semester on campus.

The Senate then approved an SMR which it had discussed in executive session in previous weeks. The SMR, presented by Class of 2013 Senator David Fisch, called for $2,000 to support Student Events' and WBRS's initiative to bring the comedy group CollegeHumor to Brandeis next semester. If it is not successful, the money will be available for Senate use again. Fisch said that the overall budget for the event would be around $13,000, the remaining costs of which would be covered by WBRS and Student Events.

Executive Senator Ricky Rosen '14 estimated that the Senate had spent roughly $17,000 of its budget thus far and, after the SMR was approved, had about $8,000 left to work with for the rest of the academic year. This number does not include money which had already been allocated to events such as the spring semester Midnight Buffet.

In a report to the Senate, Student Union President Todd Kirkland '13 encouraged senators to come to the State of the Union address (taking place today at 7 p.m. in the International Lounge in the Usdan Student Center). Kirkland also said that he was involved with both the strategic plan and administrative efforts to address dining on campus. While he did not provide details, he said that the strategic plan is "definitely going in the right direction."

Student Union Vice President Gloria Park '13 reported that she was working with the Senate Ways and Means Committee to come up with a way to define "quorum" for the purposes of Senate operations. A definition of "quorum" is not currently in the Student Union Constitution.

Also among Park's clarity concerns was the establishment of standards to define what constitutes an excused absence in light of the recent amendment to Union constitution bylaws. Rosen said that out of the 11 Senate meetings that have taken place this semester, some senators have missed up to seven meetings.

Co-chairs of the Senate Dining Committee Danny Novak '15 and Biana Gotlibovsky '15 updated the Senate on their progress, including the extension to Einstein Bros. Bagels hours, the addition of all items at Quiznos to qualify as part of a "meal," a salad station being added in Usdan Boulevard and the "Let Us Wrap" station returning to Usdan Caf?(c).

-Tate Herbert