THE GATEPOST Framingham State’s independent student newspaper
Volume 86 • Issue 17
FSUgatepost.com
February 23, 2018
Corey McFeeley / THE GATEPOST
Students enjoy an unexpected 70-degree day in February on the North Hall lawn.
Spicer and Santiago chosen to be commencement speakers
SGA increases overall student organization funding
By Cesareo Contreras Editor-in-Chief
By Jillian Poland News Editor
Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer and Massachusetts Commissioner of Education Carlos Santiago will be the commencement speakers at this year’s graduation ceremonies at the DCU Center, according to Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Linda Vaden-Goad. Spicer will give the undergraduate commencement address, while Santiago will be giving the graduate commencement address. Vaden-Goad informed the FSU community about the decision in a campus-wide email on Feb. 13. In January, Spicer was sworn into office as Framingham’s first mayor. She is the first popularly elected African-American woman to serve as mayor in Massachusetts history. In a statement, President F. Javier Cevallos said, “Dr. Spicer’s historic election captivated our community and her commitment to public service and education are inspiring. I know our graduates will be excited to hear from her.” Before becoming Framingham’s first mayor, Spicer served as a vice president at the Museum of Science in Boston. Santiage was appointed commissioner by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker in 2015. He is responsible for “providing overall direction to public higher education in Massachusetts and helping shape
SGA allocated a combined $136,318.28 to three student organizations, including itself, during the second session of its annual budget meeting on Feb. 16. Between the two sessions of the budget meeting, SGA allocated a combined $332,131.03. This is an 11 percent increase from the $299,566 SGA allocated during the budget meeting last year. During Friday’s five-hour meeting, representatives from WDJM, the Hilltop Players and SGA presented their Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 budgets for approval. SGA President Kyle Rosa and Student Activity Treasurer Sarah Horwitz presented six budgets that combined fund SGA operations, club trips, All-University Banquet and other student activities. They requested a total of $102,650.28, an 18 percent increase from what was allocated during last year’s budget meeting. After reviewing all the budgets, SGA allocated itself $104,650.28, a 21 percent increase from what it allocated itself during last year’s budget meeting. SGA allocated $53,139.08 for its general budget. This budget goes toward operations, including club supplies, Sam the Ram’s payroll, CollegiateLink and a $4,200 Thomas Ames Scholarship for the SGA pres-
See GRADUATION page 4
See BIG BUDGET page 3
News
Opinions
Arts & Features
YOUNG-IN KWON pg. 2
MORE GUNS MORE PROBLEMS pg. 7
DACA DISCUSSION pg. 10
TESL GRANT pg. 5
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR pg. 9
ROBBIE’S COMIC CORNER pg. 13
Sports WOMEN’S BASKETBALL EARNS TWO SEED IN MASCAC pg.18 JD MARTINEZ TO THE RED SOX pg. 16
INSIDE: OP/ED 7• ARTS & FEATURES 10 • SPORTS 15