The Student Government Association hosted the fall 2023 budget meeting on Wednesday to discuss student organization funding, with FilmFest receiving the highest amount at $2,423 and Eat Pray Anime receiving the lowest amount at $78.
While the student organizations requested $85,800, the total budget this year was $44,500, with the median grant amount being around $350. Clubs received about half of the funds requested. The funding granted was an increase from last semester’s budget of $42,265.
“I would love for all student organizations to receive more funding,” said SGA president Alli Dimmitt, senior political science major from Naples, Florida. “That’s just not the reality of the situation.”
Tyler Gaylor, SGA chief financial officer, said the finance team uses deciding factors such as modesty, reliability, engagement and consistency when dividing up allocated funds.
“Those are really important for advocating for yourself and getting more bang for your buck,” said Gaylor, junior accounting major from Richardson. “The quantitative side of things doesn’t show the whole organization.”
During the meeting, Gaylor emphasized the importance of organizations attending their own budget meetings so the SGA team can better understand each club.
The budget meeting provided clubs with the opportunity to meet with senators to lobby for increased funding. A total of 17 amendments were proposed during the meeting with only three amendments passing. Each proposal required taking money out of other organizations’ budgets, which led to questions about the club’s purpose and resources before taking the final vote.
Outside of lobbying at the meeting, Hayden Poorman, SGA treasurer, encouraged clubs to use SGA resources throughout the semester.
“We will 100% be willing to help in any type of way if you take this route of gaining additional finances,” said Poorman, senior finance and information systems major from Buffalo Gap. “We see the fire in your eyes, and we’re going to partner with you to get that done.”
Poorman discussed the opportunities to increase revenues through an event-based pool, fundraising and sponsors. The recommendation was also made that clubs cut expenses by collaborating for events, using free promotions and requesting equipment from SGA.
“Moving forward, I’m excited for them to have access to their funding,” Dimmitt said. “I’m excited to finally have them in the office and to get to talk to them.”
