Spring Break
Council proposes changes in funding process
Issue date: 3/6/08
In an attempt to simplify the funding process for student groups, the Student Life Commission is proposing a total restructuring of the board that currently controls these funds.
The Student Life Commission, which is made up of Student Council members and the presidents and vice presidents of each class, will propose the new system to the Student Council Finance Committee, which must then approve it.
"The Finance Committee has been discussing the benefits of a block funding-based system since the beginning of the year," Finance Committee Chair Joshua Loveall said.
Loveall explained the main complication of a block-funding system is it can be difficult to administer retroactively if funding was appropriate.
He also expressed a desire for block funding to be discussed in general Council meetings and noted in the "limited setting of the Student Life Commission." He added he has heard nothing of Student Life's specific proposal.
The new "block-funding" system would eliminate a "class-funding" system, give all groups money at the start of each year, and provide contingency funds through a group-category system.
"The major point is to make groups work together," said junior Justine Mink, vice president of the Student Life Commission. "The problem is there has been little cooperation among the groups."
The Student Life Commission will recommend this system to the Finance Committee before budgeting decisions are made next month. The Finance Committee will then be permitted to consider and then approve the reformation.
"The way the senators on Finance vote will depend on how the StuLife Commission's proposal implements the system. We agree that funding policy needs to change, but will not vote blindly for change that doesn't actually improve the way funding works for the administrators and students involved," Loveall said.
The money allocated to the Student Activities Commission (SAC) - the board that currently doles out money - would be handed over to a new funding board that would give it to student groups in blocks.
The Student Life Commission, which is made up of Student Council members and the presidents and vice presidents of each class, will propose the new system to the Student Council Finance Committee, which must then approve it.
"The Finance Committee has been discussing the benefits of a block funding-based system since the beginning of the year," Finance Committee Chair Joshua Loveall said.
Loveall explained the main complication of a block-funding system is it can be difficult to administer retroactively if funding was appropriate.
He also expressed a desire for block funding to be discussed in general Council meetings and noted in the "limited setting of the Student Life Commission." He added he has heard nothing of Student Life's specific proposal.
The new "block-funding" system would eliminate a "class-funding" system, give all groups money at the start of each year, and provide contingency funds through a group-category system.
"The major point is to make groups work together," said junior Justine Mink, vice president of the Student Life Commission. "The problem is there has been little cooperation among the groups."
The Student Life Commission will recommend this system to the Finance Committee before budgeting decisions are made next month. The Finance Committee will then be permitted to consider and then approve the reformation.
"The way the senators on Finance vote will depend on how the StuLife Commission's proposal implements the system. We agree that funding policy needs to change, but will not vote blindly for change that doesn't actually improve the way funding works for the administrators and students involved," Loveall said.
The money allocated to the Student Activities Commission (SAC) - the board that currently doles out money - would be handed over to a new funding board that would give it to student groups in blocks.
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