The Students’ Association approved its spring 2011 budget proposal on Wednesday, allocating $33,636.53 to 39 student groups.
Combined, the student groups requested a total of $68,747.47. In the fall, SA awarded $37,785.04 to the groups. SA treasurer Chris Shim, senior finance major from Lawrenceville, Ga., said he believes SA did a good job helping groups with limited funds.
“I wish it could be more,” Shim said. “Overall, I think the hardest part is not being able to fund all student requests.”
Student groups submitted their budget proposals to Shim earlier this semester.
FilmFest received the largest allocation from SA, receiving $5,710 after requesting $8,800. The largest portion of the funds allocated to FilmFest went to hiring and supporting judges. Shim said the large award was justified, considering how many students participate.
“FilmFest is a really large production that’s open and available to all students,” Shim said. “We are talking about hundreds of students who come to watch. It showcases students’ work and the amount of man hours put in.”
The only amendment to the budget cut funds from Students in Free Enterprise. Senator Scott Adrian, senior political science and communications major from Glendale, Calif., presented the motion to cut $150 from the group, which sends toys to Honduras.
Adrian said he appreciated the motives behind the funds. However, he said appropriations should be used exclusively for student activities.
“We encourage groups to go out and do good, Adrian said. “We support fundraising events, but we cannot use student funds for charities that take and distribute it among other groups.”
Overall, 10 groups received at least $1,000 dollars in appropriations from SA. A total of 18 groups requested at least $1,000. Shim said Congress did a good job of meeting most of the groups’ needs.
Alpha Epsilon Sigma, SHADES Step Team, Shinnery Review and the Locavore Club all received allocations of at least $2,000.
“I think Congress did the best they can, representing their constituency and trying to look out for the student body as a whole,” Shim said. “They did a good job of being stewards with what they have.”
A complete list of all student group requests and SA allocations can be found on on the SA website at acustudents.com.
