Central Student Government
Assembly Initiative 14-002
Rebuilding Education in Gaza Act
Resolution Information
Sponsor(s) Petition-based initiatives do not require a sponsor
External author(s)
Endorser(s)
Long title A Procedural and Appropriations Resolution to Amend the Compiled Code and Enact
a Budget to Support Low-Income Students, University of Michigan Students, and
Students in Gaza
Author Summary First, this resolution amends clause 2.1.1 under Article V, which required over half of all funding to be
allocated to the SOC account, to now require a minimum allocation of $1. Second, this
resolution amends clauses 4.6; 4.6.1; and 4.6.2, which concerns minimum allocation requirements
under Article III, to add a cap to the amounts to be allocated. Third, this bill enacts a budget for all
stipulated programs, services, operational, and discretionary costs for the Fall 2024 semester.
Assembly Information (to be completed by the Speaker)
Requirements
Committees
Committee Information (to be completed by the respective Committee Chairs)
Committee (if applicable) Passed For First Reads (Y/N; Initials) Passed For Second Reads (Y/N; Initials)
Rules
Finance
Communications
Resolutions
Attest
Mario Thaqi, LSA
Speaker of the Assembly
Yes: No: Abstain: 0 Date:
Section 1.
The Central Student Government Assembly finds and declares all of the following:
WHEREAS,
An ongoing genocide and scholasticide in Gaza has damaged or destroyed 90% of Gaza’s public school
buildings and all 12 of its universities, aiming to erase the future of an entire generation of Palestinians; AND,
WHEREAS,
Our University remains complicit in the ongoing genocide, and has refused to take action through divestment or
any other means; AND,
WHEREAS,
A donation to the Birzeit University Rebuilding Hope initiative would be used to fund the education of students
in Gaza suffering from the genocide, and assist in rebuilding educational infrastructure in Gaza; AND,
WHEREAS,
By fronting money to fund student organizations, the University has demonstrated that it is capable of supplying the funds
sufficient to cover the needs of student organizations. With $5.9 billion of the endowment (28.66% of assets) being
completely unrestricted, the university does not require CSG repayment for this quasi-loan. The burden of covering
student organization funding—without CSG repayment—is minimal.; AND,
WHEREAS,
The University of Michigan Dean of Students has ignored student voices and taken responsibility for funding
student organizations during the fall semester; AND,
Section 2.
THEREFORE it is, by the Students of the University of Michigan, through Central Student
Government:
RESOLVED,
The Compiled Code Section 2 (and relevant sub-sections) of Article V: Finance be changed to reflect language outlined
in Appendix A, with this change to take immediate effect; AND,
AND RESOLVED,
The Compiled Code Section 4.6 (and relevant sub-sections) of Article III: Executive be changed to reflect language
outlined in Appendix B, with this change to take immediate effect; AND,
AND RESOLVED,
That a budget is enacted as specified in Appendix C, and a succinct spreadsheet can be found here. The spreadsheet
does not govern; rather, it is just for reference;
AND FINALLY RESOLVED,
That if this petition-resolution be turned to an all-campus vote, it shall be presented through the text in Appendix D.
Appendix A:
Article V
2. Budget Mandates.
2.1. The following budget mandates must be followed during the Fall and Winter Budgets: 2.1.1. The
Budget must allocate 51% of all funding an amount of at least $1 towards the SOC account.
2.1.2. The Budget must allocate 5% of all funding towards the reserves.
2.1.3. As required by § D(12)(b) of this Article, the Budget must allocate no less than $4,000 in the
case of the Fall Budget, and no less than $9,500 in the case of the Winter Budget, to
the Elections Operations Account.
2.1.4. As required by § D(9)(b) of this Article, the Budget must allocate no less than $2,000 in the
case of the Fall Budget and no less than $4,500 in the case of the Winter Budget to the
Public Elections Fund.
2.2. The Budget may allocate more than the given percentages or amounts towards each account.
2.3. If a Budget fails to meet these minimum mandates, the authorized signers must immediately
transfer funds to ensure that the budget is compliant with these rules.
2.2. The Budget must be checked by the Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer to ensure compliance with
these rules before it is submitted to the Assembly for review.
2.2.1. If no Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer is yet appointed, then the budget must be checked by the
Program Manager.
Appendix B:
Article III: Executive
4. Executive Commissions.
4.6. Permanent Commissions. The following Commissions are permanent commissions of the CSG Executive
Branch and exist each year without recurring authorization by executive order. Conflicts between
definitions and provisions herein and any other section of this Code are resolved in favor of these
definitions and provisions. Allocations of the budget by these permanent commissions must be in
aggregate at least 30% of the total amount allocated to the Executive Discretionary Account and detailed
within each Commission description., up to an maximum amount of $6,500 for each commission.
Permanent commissions have formalized membership, unlike a regular commission that is authorized via
executive order.
4.6.1. Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Survivor Empowerment Commission. This Commission is a
permanent commission of at least three members and a chair that must be renewed and does not need
authorization by executive order each year that addresses sexual misconduct on campus and organizes
activities and events which empower survivors of such misconduct. This
Commission is responsible for updating and approving, with DEAC, the SOFC Community
Leadership Training, with input fromWolverine Wellness, SAAS, and SAPAC. If in a semester
the Chair of this Commission feels there is no suitable Community Leadership Training available
for CSG's needs, they may, through notice to the President and Speaker, nullify all requirements
and provisions reliant upon the training for that semester. The Assembly may end this
nullification during that semester by authorizing a Community Leadership Training for that
semester, by a two-thirds vote of the Assembly. Not exceeding a maximum amount of $6,500,
this Commission must be provided a budget of not less than 30% of the total amount allocated to
the Executive Commissions Discretionary, and no less than 15% of the total amount allocated to
the Executive Discretionary.
4.6.2. Disability Empowerment and Advocacy Commission (DEAC). This Commission is a
permanent commission of at least three members and a chair that must be renewed and does not need
authorization by executive order each year that addresses the needs of students with
disabilities on campus and evaluates how to advocate and empower this community. This
Commission is responsible for updating and approving, with SMPSEC, the SOFC Community
Leadership Training with input from Wolverine Wellness, SAAS, and SAPAC. If in a semester
the Chair of this Commission feels there is no suitable Community Leadership Training available
for CSG’s needs, they may, through notice to the President and Speaker, nullify all requirements
and provisions reliant upon the training for that semester, by a two-thirds vote of the Assembly.
Not exceeding a maximum amount of $6,500, this Commission must be provided a budget of not
less than 30% of the total amount allocated to Executive Commissions and no less than 15% of
the total amount allocated to the Executive Discretionary Account.
Appendix C:
Section 1.
The Assembly hereby appropriates the following:
● The General Reserve, thirty thousand one hundred and seventy-seven dollars and fifteen cents ($30,177.15);
● To the Student Organization Committee Account, one dollar ($1), subdivided as specified in section 4; ● To
the Central Student Judiciary account, two hundred fifty dollars ($250);
● To the Payroll account, forty-one thousand dollars ($41,000), restricted as specified in Section 2 of this
Appendix;
● To the Operations account, one thousand dollars ($1,000);
● To the Need-Based Compensation account, twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000);
● To the Elections Operations account, four thousand dollars ($4,000);
● To the Public Elections Fund account, two thousand dollars ($2,000);
● To the Executive Discretionary Fund, four hundred and fifty-seven thousand dollars ($457,000), intended to be
used as specified in Section 3 of this Appendix1
● To the Legislative Discretionary Fund, forty-three thousand one hundred and fourteen dollars and eighty-five
cents ($43,114.85)
Section 2.
The Assembly hereby restricts the use of the Payroll account to the payment of the Program Manager, an accountant, the
front office/reception student staff, and the Secretary of the Assembly.
Section 3.
The Executive intends to use its discretionary fund on the following initiatives:
1
Donation funds are allocated to the Executive Discretionary fund to ensure they will be able to be donated to the Birzeit
University Rebuilding Hope Initiative and cannot be blocked.
1. Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Survivor Empowerment Commission - $6,500
2. Disability Empowerment and Advocacy Commission- $6,500
3. Donation to the Maize and Blue Cupboard- $4,000
4. Donation to the Birzeit University Rebuilding Hope Initiative- $440,000
Section 4.
The Student Organization Funding Committee will receive $0.50 and the Wolverine Consulting Group will receive
$0.50.
Appendix D:
Should this resolution be referred to the student body for a referendum, the question will
read: “Petition Initiative 14-02: The Rebuilding Education in Gaza Act:
As of September 17, 2024, Israel’s actions in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians, including more
than 16,500 children. This genocide has severely damaged and destroyed 90% of Gaza's public school buildings and all
major universities.
Our university is complicit in these actions. The Budget to Rebuild Education in Gaza Act, can allocate funds of
440,000 dollars as reparations on behalf of students. The proposed budget aims to establish a reparations account to
support Gazan students and rebuild educational infrastructure in Gaza.
Should this act be passed?
- Yes
- No”
