Chartered student organizations will have 26.719 percent less funding as a result of an across-the-board cut at last night’s six-hour Student Government Association Senate meeting.

As a result of the formation of the penumbra Graduate & Professional Student Association, the compromise SGA funding formula resulted in the removal of $111,953 from CSO annual funding.

“Last year, the graduate student organizations got $65,000,” explained SGA Financial Vice President Corey Bailey. “This year, the GPSA got $125,000.”

By the terms of the compromise with GPSA, 10% of the formula funding would return to SGA for CSO funding due to the crossover of several organizations and committees such as Great Issues. In total, $218,742.88 was available to fund CSOs.

With a request of $467,694, the finance committee was forced to make large cuts. “We had to basically cut the request in half,” said ISF Senator Dane Salazar.

In order to make the meeting move along smoothly, Salazar suggested, “We really need senators to make informed decisions. When they make a cut or addition, be specific.”

Allowing for a $4000 “slush” fund for additions, the senate proceeded to select bills they wished to cut or add funding to.

After passing funding on 16 groups in an omnibus motion, the senate proceeded to spend the next five and one-half hours debating subtractions and additions.

Pulling all club sports, Marguerite Senator Nick Fagan questioned whether SGA should be funding club sports. The response was that funding time was not the forum for such questions.

The largest club sport receiving funding, the Hockey Club received over $10,000. Fagan questioned the large amount.

“Ice costs a lot of money,” responded Hockey Club President Derek Vilinsky. “We’re a Division 1 club sport and students come to the games.”

Vilinsky also added that the athletic department has totally refused to recognize Hockey as a varsity sport receiving athletic funding.

Funding requests for the Hockey Club along with all other club sports passed with little dissent and no subtractions.

Following a motion by Commuter Senator Jim McNichols, an active member in the College Republicans, the SGA considered subtracting funding from the Young Democrats. “We ask all groups to be fiscally responsible,” said McNichols in regards to some receipts missing.

“A lot of other groups didn’t get pulled for those exact same reasons. I’m afraid people are pulling bills for personal reasons,” said Arts & Science Senator Lauren Gretz.

Dan Schneidermeir, College of Public Service Senator, added, “I think this is partisan politics in its worst form.”

McNichols denied the assertion: “This is not an issue of partisanship-it’s an issue of accountability.”

Prior to the vote, Village Senator and Vice President of Young Democrats John Mueler added, “I urge the Senate to reject this very desperate and pathetic attempt to downgrade this allotment.”

The Young Democrats received the allotted amount with no subtractions.

Only one group received a subtraction in funding-Oriflamme. Prompted by Social Service Senator Dana Naughton, the organization received much criticism for numerous social events that were solely for members.

Included in the questionable activities was an Oriflamme Formal budgeted at $2100. While the finance committee allowed one social event per CSO, Naughten along with numerous other senators thought such an expensive event was unnecessary.

As a result of the $2250 brought in from dues, Naughten thought the dues could be used to pay for events that Oriflamme requested SGA to fund such as a ropes course for team-building.

Other criticisms included the request for $500 in advertising for recruitment and retention. “I don’t see why they need to pay for recruitment and retention when they cut people,” said Commuter Senator John Fusco.

Finally, several senators expressed concern that Oriflamme did not serve the entire student body-only incoming freshman-and thus should be a group under the Office of Student Life.

In the end, Oriflamme received $1000 which, with dues, would allow for the ropes course, spring training seminars, Oriflamme scholarship, and some extra money for a small social event.

Once subtractions were completed, SGA began to tackle the process of additions. Fifteen organizations were presented for additional funding from one $6031.24 slush fund.

While most senators agreed that such an increase may be needed, some questioned the placement of SGA as the first addition on the agenda along with the lack of fundraising.

“We should be the last group to get money,” said Michael Fullenkamp, Marchetti Senator.

SGA President Jay Perry explained that the SGA budget allotted would run out by February of 2001.

In support, Jason Sengheiser, Arts & Sciences Senator, said, “It’s important for [SGA] to function for the rest of the organizations to function.”

Associated Parks College Students requested and received an increase of $575 in their budget to allow for conferences and major events for each organization.

Some debate arose when KSLU requested an addition of $500. They supported such a request by pointing to their movement into Web Radio and, soon, a low power FM station in addition to their acquisition of the University Broadcast Network and University Technical Association.

The increase passed with little dissent.

Another funding addition was given to the Student Activity Board to bring their total allocation to $65,000. SAB President Rob Bain explained that by cutting the SAB request 41%, it essentially cut SAB events in half. He hoped that the addition of $1142.47 would bring at least one more small event onto campus.

With $1133 left in the slush fund, the remaining money will be placed in the appeal funds for student groups requesting additional funds.