As student organization budget season approaches, some group leaders may reconsider how they apply for aid.
The 2013-14 budget left many organizations with significantly less than they requested.
Student Government Association allocations committee leader Nolan McGuire said one reason is because organization leaders file funding requests improperly.
McGuire said some leaders asked for more than they need, some didn’t file paperwork correctly or on time, or lacked proof that the requested funds were necessary.
Leaders have to include receipts and other evidence to prove the expenses are accurate. Some leaders fail to include some or all evidence, McGuire said.
The main reason organizations do not receive money, Student Government president Noam Berns said, is simply a lack of funds.
“We can’t give out money we don’t have,” he said.
For the 2013-14 budget, senators had $364,959. They were petitioned for $566,585. Obviously not everyone’s requests can be fulfilled.
Other than proper filing, senators look for criteria to determine which organizations receive funds.
Senators look at organizations’ campus involvement, community service and membership, according to an allocations handout. They also review how much members pay in dues and how many fundraisers members hold.
Concert Choir members did not meet senators’ criteria.
Choir asked for $3,000, but received only $406.
Choir treasurer Christina Flower said choir members tried to justify their need for funds.
“There are lots of projects and activities that we would like to do, but cannot because of funds,” she said.
To make up for the gap, choir members have been having more fundraisers off campus, Flower said. The money loss did not affect choir members too much, Flower said, other than when trying to buy music.
Flower said she hopes that including the new fundraisers in the next budgeting form will make a difference in how senators allocate money.
To help leaders navigate the budget process, senators are providing handouts for the timeline and the process, in addition to the budgeting forms themselves.
McGuire said the handouts should make the process easy for organization leaders.
