2008 Woodie Awards
SGA argues funding, recognition of groups
Ginsburg says groups are still feeling las year's budget cuts
By: Alexandra Smith
Issue date: 11/9/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
At Student Government Association meetings, it is common for groups to attend for the purpose of asking for formal recognition of their student organization - the Nov. 7 meeting was no exception.
The discussions and questions at the meeting regarding these decisions, however, were a bit out of the ordinary.
In past meetings, the process of approving new student groups has taken very little time. Club members tell the SGA board a little about their group, what the group's purpose will be on campus and whether the group intends to be a funded or non-funded student organization. SGA officers then vote on whether to approve the club's status.
The process wasn't quite as simple for the newly formed Webster Lions Club, a service group committed to the community of Webster University. There were also complications for The Spark, a publication that will serve as an outlet for student opinions and open discussion of politics and current events.
SGA members went back-and-forth about whether the clubs should be recognized and, if so, they should be recognized as funded groups.
"I think we recognize too many clubs as funded organizations when in the end they don't really need it," said Fine Arts Senator Janele Moore. "A non-funded club can come back at any time if there's a need for money."
After members of the Lions Club said funds would be used for projects meant to raise profits for charity, SGA decided to recognize them - but as a non-funded organization.
"I like what they're doing, but I didn't see any purpose for them to be funded," Moore said.
Discussion about The Spark followed, and SGA Adviser John Ginsburg said deciding whether or not a club should be funded did not require a detailed account of how funds would be used.
"SGA doesn't have to know anything about (the club's) funds," Ginsburg said. "They only get to determine now whether or not they get recognized. Clubs are not expected to have their budgets prepared when they come to this meeting."
The discussions and questions at the meeting regarding these decisions, however, were a bit out of the ordinary.
In past meetings, the process of approving new student groups has taken very little time. Club members tell the SGA board a little about their group, what the group's purpose will be on campus and whether the group intends to be a funded or non-funded student organization. SGA officers then vote on whether to approve the club's status.
The process wasn't quite as simple for the newly formed Webster Lions Club, a service group committed to the community of Webster University. There were also complications for The Spark, a publication that will serve as an outlet for student opinions and open discussion of politics and current events.
SGA members went back-and-forth about whether the clubs should be recognized and, if so, they should be recognized as funded groups.
"I think we recognize too many clubs as funded organizations when in the end they don't really need it," said Fine Arts Senator Janele Moore. "A non-funded club can come back at any time if there's a need for money."
After members of the Lions Club said funds would be used for projects meant to raise profits for charity, SGA decided to recognize them - but as a non-funded organization.
"I like what they're doing, but I didn't see any purpose for them to be funded," Moore said.
Discussion about The Spark followed, and SGA Adviser John Ginsburg said deciding whether or not a club should be funded did not require a detailed account of how funds would be used.
"SGA doesn't have to know anything about (the club's) funds," Ginsburg said. "They only get to determine now whether or not they get recognized. Clubs are not expected to have their budgets prepared when they come to this meeting."
Be the first to comment on this story