USG approves spring budgets, discusses student’s memorial fund

The Undergraduate Student Government approved spring budget allocations for St. Thomas clubs and organizations this semester at its meeting Sunday night.

KUST was allocated $8,920 for its conference competition request.

Campus Crusade for Christ received $1,077 for a conference in Florida.

Michael Larson Memorial Fund event

Sophomore class president Mike Orth said he is working with the Dean of Students office to host an event Thursday, March 10, during convocation hour to honor sophomore Michael Larson, a St. Thomas student who died in a house fire last December.

“His family was generous enough to donate a certain amount of money to St. Thomas for tobacco cessation and fire safety programming,” Orth said. “They’ve asked us to put on events here at St. Thomas to raise awareness.”

Orth said they will hand out 9-volt batteries in front of the Commuter Center to encourage students to change batteries in their smoke-detectors and to raise awareness about fire prevention and safety.

Money management series

Greg Scharine, USG vice president of financial affairs, and Scott Hansen, senior class senator, have organized a money management series.

The series, which is open to all students, will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, in the 3M auditorium. The session is geared toward seniors and their financial future after graduation.

The series will continue April 20 and April 27 with discussions about how to consolidate student loans and debt. Undergraduates will also receive information on how to save money in college. Sixty St. Thomas alumni will talk about insurance, retirement plans, how to pay off loans after college and when to start saving money for children’s college funds.

Ashley Stewart can be reached at stew1177@stthomas.edu.