The ASWSU Senate voted in favor of providing $4,400 to the College Republicans to bring political commentator Steven Crowder to WSU in early December.

Crowder used to be a contributor to Fox News and now hosts his own daily podcast called “Louder With Crowder.” The funding will help cover Crowder’s speaking and travel fees. The Residence Hall Association provided $1,000 for the event as well, and College Republicans Vice President Jacob Heinen said it will cost $5,500 total.

Heinen said the event will provide an opportunity to bring students together to engage in political discourse and think about their own thought processes.

“It is important to reach out to freshmen who have not heard conservative viewpoints,” Heinen said.

Eighteen senators voted in favor of the request, and Uncertified Senator Jordyn Beckford abstained.

The Senate also approved a request from La Hermandad de O eMe Te for $1,500 to help fund their annual Dia de los Muertos celebration. The free event will include cultural traditions such as sugar skull painting and games of Loteria.

The representative from La Hermandad de O eMe Te said they hope to reach Ensminger Pavilion’s maximum capacity of 400. He said it is important that their celebration remains free so everyone can have a meal, learn about Latino culture, and experience something new.

The representative said the event will cost about $5,500 total. La Hermandad de O eMe Te has come up with $4,000 on their own.

The Senate also approved a request from the Indian Student Organization (ISA) for $2,800 to fund India Night 2016.

The event will feature cultural food and performances. Tickets will be $10 for students and $15 for non-students. The ISA representative said ASWSU’s funds will go toward maintaining the price of tickets and providing four main dishes and dessert, among other things.

ISA has hosted the annual event twelve times and expects between 500 and 550 in attendance. India Night 2016 will be at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 6.

The Senate passed a bill to solidify the role of the Constitution Bylaws Revision Committee. Bill 46-06 mandates the ASWSU president to form the committee every four years. The bill establishes the ASWSU vice president as the chair of the committee.

The bill’s author, All-Campus Senator Matthew Morrow, said revision of the constitution and bylaws is important, but the committee will hold no legislative power.

Lastly, the Senate passed a resolution to support the creation of interdisciplinary academic programs. Author of Resolution 46-04, College of Arts and Sciences Senator Kevin Schilling, said it comes in response to an overwhelming margin of support for the idea during the last ASWSU Comes To You event.

Schilling said the next step is to meet with the deans, the provost and the Faculty Senate to form a committee to outline the curriculum of an interdisciplinary program.