Programming fee supports RSA
The allocation of the Student Activities Budget Committee funds left several Recognized Student Organizations without any funding for the 2012 fiscal year. Among these RSO’s was the Resident Student Association.
Kendyl Wade- Freshman undeclared major Chloe Barrett (left) and freshman early childhood education major Katie Reuleach partcipate in University Housing’s Happening on Thursday events.
RSA requested $5,000 from the SABC to fund events for the 2011-12 year and did not receive any of their requested funds.
There are many factors that contribute to the decisions by which RSO’s receive funds.
“It’s not easy, we sit there and listen to these proposals and sometimes the better proposals are the ones that are going to get the money,” said Evan Karanovich, SGA president and SABC member.
“They’re going to demonstrate to us their ability to manage this money properly, and to use it to its maximum potential, which is what I think the students expect from us.”
After an RSO sends a request to the SABC, a hearing is called so that RSO can formally give its proposal to the SABC. According to the budget committee, this is not a simple task.
“They schedule SABC hearings which are 15 minutes in length, maximum, and the representatives of the organization meet with the SABC. They are given about 10 minutes to summarize their proposal then there is about five minutes for questions,” said Paul Jahr, the associate vice president for student affairs. “One of the questions is ‘If you are not funded what impact would that have on your organization?’” Jahr said.
In RSA’s case they have other funding available to them. This is the programming fee that every student living in University Housing pays. The fee is $25 each semester. A portion of that $25 is given to RSA.
“RSA gets a cut of $7.50 per student,” said Larry Christenson, executive director of university housing. University Housing has approximately 2,000 residents, making the total allocated to RSA about $15,000.
That budget is usually sufficient for the events RSA participates in.
“That usually covers most of the programs we’re doing,” said Lance Layton, RSA president. “We’ve already allocated money towards Happenin’ on Thursdays, HOT.”
HOT is a University Housing program that is partially funded by RSA.
Some RSO’s do not have other funding, according to Karanovich.
“When people come to SABC, nine out of 10 times it is evident that SABC is their (the RSO’s) only available funds other than dues,” Karanovich said.
“We have to look at it holistically, in the big picture. We have to look at where the money is going, what it’s being used for, is it being maximized, and if we give the money, is it taking that money to its fullest potential,” he said.
The decision of who to fund is a difficult one and one that SABC does not take lightly. “They take very seriously their role and make tough decisions,” Jahr said.
The only way every RSO can get the funding they request is if the Student Activity Fee, the source of the SABC budget, were increased.
“This is something I have addressed as a member of the Student Advisory Council with the Board of Regents,” Karanovich said. “I want to know from the students if this is something we need to fight for, if they see a direct need.”
According to Jahr, a request was made last year to increase the student activity fee, but was not passed.
“The Board of Regents saw that with an increase in tuition, with the increase of the institutional fee, (there) were already enough increases,” Karanovich said.
Posted by Alyson Crosby
on Sep 15 2011. Filed under News.
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