Another annual funding process was completed at last night’s Student Government Association meeting.
The SGA passed the initial funding bills one week ago. With only a few complaints to the initial allotted amount, the appeals were heard last night.
In the end, money was left to spare. This is due in part to the $11 increase in the student activity fee, which goes directly to funding chartered student organizations, and in part to the hard work of the members of the SGA Finance Committee, according to various senators.
Three of the organizations did appeal for additional funds: Oriflamme, the Indian-Asian Student Association of SANGAM and the Business Student Government Association.
The bill to increase the Oriflamme budget asked for a color ad in The University News, busses to the organization’s spring formal and tickets to a Cardinals game and Six Flags theme park.
Adam Altman, commuter senator and member of the Finance Committee, said the organization did not receive the funds because of the large amount of money put towards social activities.
“Seventy-three percent of their budget was spent on entertainment,” Altman said. “We thought that a bit extraneous.”
School of Business Senator Nick Fagan wanted to amend the bill to not pay for the baseball game and amusement park.
“As it is an exclusive group, we don’t need to pay for these activities,” he said.
Lauren Gretz, executive vice president of Oriflamme, said that selection should not affect funding. “The volleyball team is selective; if you can’t play volleyball, you aren’t allowed on the team. That’s why they win championships.”
“We’re a CSO, we have just as much right to ask for funds as anyone,” Gretz continued.
Matt Clune, School of Law senator, agreed with Gretz and other supporters of Oriflamme’s request for additional funding. “Going to these events makes Oriflamme a better group,” he said.
Village Apartments Senator Matt Morrissey fought for the CSO’s rights as well: “Let them do something fun. Let them get something out of all this hard work.”
The bill was agreed to with little dissent.
SANGAM, another organization fought for more funding.
This organization asked for funds since no money was originally allotted due to “financial oversights” on the part of the CSO. There were some questions as to whether the organization would have money left over from the previous year’s budget.
Altman said the organization was not punished for turning in a “bad budget.” He admitted that he was confused as to how much money they have. “I’m still confused,” he said, reviewing a new budget proposal.
Paul Woody, Arts and Sciences senator, supported SANGAM and their quest for funding. “I think the rollover amount was considered,” he said. “This amount is considerably less than what they asked for originally.”
The bill was agreed to for the complete amount requested by SANGAM.
The final organization, the Business Student Government Association, asked for more funds to help pay for a trip to New York and a panel to help integrate freshman into the School of Business.
Not hiding his support for the bill, Fagan said, “These are my constituents and I like this. Trips to New York are good.”
Like the others, this bill was agreed to for the total amount requested.
After all was said and done, Dane Salazar, Financial vice president, thought the process was pretty painless.
Other Business
The Crew Club was officially approved as a chartered student organization for filling a niche that no other current student organization does, according to the bill.
The groups boasts 45 members who rise in the wee hours of the morning, 5:30 a.m., to practice rowing on a nearby lake, according to First-year Senator Paul Fitzgibbons.
DeMattias Hall Senator Nick Sarcone is both a member and supporter of the group. “It’s a good organization. Next semester, we’ll be competing against other schools like Washington University,” he said.
In addition, two bills were passed to amend the SGA Constitution and the SGA standing rules, special rules and bylaws.
