North Texas Daily

Joshua Knopp / News Editor

In its last meeting of the summer, the Student Government Association voted Thursday to spend $1350 co-sponsoring the Kerr Beach Voter Registration Drive and the Innovation Greenhouse’s Music Hackathon.

SGA president Troy Elliott said this money is a part of about $5,000 left over from the previous administration. The association must use it before Sept. 1 or it will go back to the school. Elliott said they are still looking into ways to distribute the rest of the funds, with the senate retreat and Freshman Intern Program being likely options.

The registration drive is an annual event hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha targeted toward new freshmen who, for the most part, just turned 18 years old. Last year, 1,500 students registered to vote at KerrBeach, according to bill sponsor T’Corey Wright. SGA allocated $750 to co-sponsor the event. Alpha Phi Alpha is paying more than $7,200.

Elliott is the fraternity’s secretary, and SGA chief of staff Ike Esedebe is its vice president. Wright said they had nothing to do with writing the legislation.

The Innovation Greenhouse’s Music Hackathon is a competition for entrepreneurial applications and computer programs to change the way people listen to music. Long-time SGA senator Adam Hasley, who works with Innovation Greenhouse, spoke on the event’s behalf. He said it boasts speakers, food and prize money, but will be free to students, and as such the greenhouse needs money from other sources. SGA allocated $600 to co-sponsor the event. Hasley said the greenhouse is planning to spend more than $3,000.