The Weber State University Student Association Senate met on Feb. 13 and discussed Senate funding of an upcoming high school science and engineering competition.

The Ritchey Science and Engineering Fair is an event for high school students trying to excel in the world of technology, biology and related disciplines.

A bill was proposed to the Senate to put money toward awards that will be given to the competition winners.

Discussion around the bill centered on the purpose of the competition and the benefits of Weber’s funding of the awards, and what the benefits could be for science, technology, engineering, and math programs at WSU.

Since some of the high school students may attend Weber State after, winning a school-sponsored award could encourage that attendance.

The debate continued, switching the topic to using Weber State’s logo on the awards. The logo would provide the awards with a physical indication of where the contest was held.

However, Senate members felt that school recognition is not what is most important about the proposal. They concluded that student participation at Weber State is the priority. The Senate expressed the importance of helping expose future Wildcats to campus life and programs offered at WSU.

The Senate approved the funding with the bill, passing with 18 concurring votes and one dissenting.