APRIL 3, 2025 | NEWS | By Olivia Link (Staff Writer)
Last Thursday, Mar. 27, the Colorado College Student Government Association (CCSGA) had its first meeting of Block 7.
Full Council discussed a funding request from CC’s chapter of Young Americans for Freedom (YAF), a conservative youth organization on campus. The group asked for $2,500 to cover flight and housing costs for speaker Daniel Di Martino, who will give a talk on April 8 titled “The Case Against Open Borders: An Immigrant’s Perspective.” The club, like other political groups on campus, already receives some funding from CCSGA, but this event would mark the first time student tuition would be used to pay a political speaker.
While the ultimate decision lies with the Finance Committee, the full council discussed the request, which decided that funding such an event would go against principles outlined in CCSGA bylaws. These bylaws state that CCSGA cannot use student tuition for partisan activities, and that student money must benefit the entire student body. As the event discusses politically contentious topics and was pointed out as being potentially harmful to marginalized students, the club will have to draw from its own funds which they receive from both the national YAF chapter and from CCSGA Student Activity Fee club funding.
CCSGA also heard from Llamapalooza Director of Finance Aiden McClean ‘26 and Director of Marketing Ella Schuchard ‘27. The committee is finalizing contracts with its artists, and its leaders shared that the extra funding approved by CCSGA in the fall has had a measurable impact on securing big names. This year’s smallest artist is 50% more expensive than last year’s headliner, meaning that the committee was able to secure more popular performers. CC’s printing press will make the posters, and this year’s merch launch will allow students to screenprint logos on their own clothes. This will help reduce waste and unnecessary spending. All merch proceeds will go to a local community organization. This year’s festival will feature five food options, and the committee has partnered with Josh & Johns to release a custom Llama flavor available at the festival and at Josh & Johns’ downtown location.
To celebrate this year’s festival during Colorado College’s 150th anniversary, the committee has worked with the Eco Fund to give metal cups to the first 600 attendees. Mike Taber will oversee a story booth, a communal art piece will be installed and student yoga teachers will lead classes on the quad.
Finally, CCSGA was updated on the proposal for the senior prom, a tradition revived last year that the Student Life committee hopes to bring back for this year’s graduating class. After making some adjustments to decoration and media, the committee was able to bring the budget down to around $7,200, an amount that was approved by all members.