The Students’ Association made no changes to the $103,000 budget Wednesday because it plans to use the appropriations fund to supplement funds allocated to student groups.
In concordance with the SA constitution, SA distributed $46,440 to student groups, 45 percent of the total $103,200 budget. The budget no longer had $60,000 campus entertainment fund because that money was turned over to the Campus Activities Board.
About 51 out of 59 student groups were represented at the meeting. Abraham Enriquez, executive vice president, said this year the executive cabinet emphasized groups would not receive funding if at least one representative from a group was not present at the meeting. Enriquez said he attributes the high turnout to student groups having better awareness about the function of SA.
During the budget meeting, no motions were made to debate or amend the budget. SA executive president Abbey Moses attributed this to a new emphasis on the appropriations fund.
Student groups can apply for various amounts of funding from the $5,000 appropriations fund throughout the semester. Applications for the fund opened in the SA office Sept. 15 and will close Nov. 22. The fund is not new to SA but this year the executive office chose to emphasize the fund as a supplement to funds already allocated to student groups.
“A lot of the debate that we’d have in the past would be $50 from one group to another group,” said Moses. “This idea of moving very small amounts of money is much easier to go through the appropriations process without having to take it from the other organizations.”
No motion was made to approve the budget but Moses said the SA Rules to Order do not require it.
Archer emailed all student groups at the beginning of the semester so they could request funding. Each group sent a representative to meet with the SA cabinet and explain their requests. Archer and Michael Humphrey, chief financial officer, created the budget based on each group’s needs.
Groups which received no funding included Wildcat Reign and Weekend Campaigns. Wildcat Reign wanted money for tailgates which was already provided by the SA campus initiative fund. Both groups asked for travel funds which Archer said SA does not fund.
“That’s just been a precedent set a few years ago by SA,” Archer said. “We decided that we want most of the funding to go to things on campus that will benefit students on campus.”
The Kinesiology Club received the smallest amount which totaled their requested $75. The Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Organization received the most funding followed by the International Student’s Association and Hispanos Unidos. CEO received $7,000, just 7 percent of their requested $51,500.
Meredith Orr, sophomore management major from North Richland Hills and student director for Startup Week, said CEO planned to use most of their requested funds for Startup Week. Because what they received will only cover one-third of the cost of Startup Week, Orr said the group will have to supplement the cost through donations, which they have been able to do in previous Startup Weeks.
Adam Andrade, College of Business and Administration representative, said CEO will use the money to have a better chapter within the national organization.
“Each and every dollar that we get from Congress goes to fund the best CEO chapter in the nation,” Andrade said. In Nov. 2015, ACU’s chapter of CEO was named best in the nation at the Collegiate Entrepreneur’s National Conference.
Other changes to SA procedures include not allowing student organizations to be reimbursed for purchases. To use their funds, student groups must reserve a P-card for an hour time slot, make the purchase and return the card on time. Student groups may not purchase something then give SA the receipt for a reimbursement. However, student groups which spent their money prior to Sept. 14 will be reimbursed for their purchases.
SA also unveiled resources for student groups, including social media, various materials and tailgates. Student groups can email requests for SA to post about their group or an event on the SA Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. SA will offer student organizations free banner paper and paint, black and white printing, food supplies including paper goods, chalk and cooler renting. This year SA will also rotate five student groups to be featured at each tailgate in the fall semester.
