Council proposes changes in funding process
The new system would have student groups relocate 15 percent of their funding into a contingency account, which would contain money groups may need to fund events or programs that may arise over the course of the year and that have not been accounted for in the annual budget.
Each of the eight groups' categories would set up councils that control a portion of their contingency account.
"This will encourage a better allocation of money," president of Student Council Scott Bierbryer said. As president, Bierbryer sits on the Student Life Commission and on the SAC executive board.
The Student Life Commission believes a category controlled contingency fund would promote groups of the same category to work together to spend their money more efficiently.
Instead of applying to the SAC, groups would appeal to a council of similar groups to receive unplanned funds.
The hope is for groups to consolidate potentially similar events and programs to improve turnout and decrease overall expenses.
Sports groups already function on a similar system. The success of this system was the inspiration for this proposed restructuring, according to Mink.
Jeffrey Orthober, treasurer of the JHU band, said this new system would have benefits for his student group.
"It would be easier, definitely. Each year, we have to explain we need new timpani mallets to a board that doesn't know what timpani mallets are," he said. Orthober felt a performing arts council would be more understanding of the band's particular needs and be more willing to provide them with contingency funds for things like mallets, reeds and instrument repairs.
The institution of categorized councils would eliminate the need for category liaisons to the funding board, according to Austin Nelson, treasurer of Student Council and chairman of the SAC executive board. Currently, there are eight liaisons to the board, who serve as advocates for the groups of their categories.
Each of the eight groups' categories would set up councils that control a portion of their contingency account.
"This will encourage a better allocation of money," president of Student Council Scott Bierbryer said. As president, Bierbryer sits on the Student Life Commission and on the SAC executive board.
The Student Life Commission believes a category controlled contingency fund would promote groups of the same category to work together to spend their money more efficiently.
Instead of applying to the SAC, groups would appeal to a council of similar groups to receive unplanned funds.
The hope is for groups to consolidate potentially similar events and programs to improve turnout and decrease overall expenses.
Sports groups already function on a similar system. The success of this system was the inspiration for this proposed restructuring, according to Mink.
Jeffrey Orthober, treasurer of the JHU band, said this new system would have benefits for his student group.
"It would be easier, definitely. Each year, we have to explain we need new timpani mallets to a board that doesn't know what timpani mallets are," he said. Orthober felt a performing arts council would be more understanding of the band's particular needs and be more willing to provide them with contingency funds for things like mallets, reeds and instrument repairs.
The institution of categorized councils would eliminate the need for category liaisons to the funding board, according to Austin Nelson, treasurer of Student Council and chairman of the SAC executive board. Currently, there are eight liaisons to the board, who serve as advocates for the groups of their categories.
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