Proposals advanced for allocating fee increase money to clubs

Student Association clubs will see a 10 percent funding increase each year for the next three to four years, if the SA Senate and financial committee approve a plan offered by SA President Anthony Burgio.

Burgio proposed a 35 percent increase in club budgets when he was pushing for a mandatory fee increase last fall. Under the plan offered to the Senate, the clubs will still get a 35 percent increase - but not right away.

"Clubs will see 10 percent over three or four years," Burgio said.

Some club members have questioned the proposal, and said they were never told the increase would be staggered.

"Although it wasn't specified, I told anyone who asked. People may disagree with it, but it's fiscal responsibility," Burgio said.

The SA budget will be finalized in April. Last September, the mandatory student activity fee passed a referendum and was increased $10. At the time, Burgio proposed giving 35 percent of the increase to clubs, 45 percent to SA Entertainment and 20 percent to SA office expenses.

Giving clubs 35 percent of the extra $300,000 means allocating them approximately $105,000.

Lorenzo Guzman, coordinator for Special Interest, Service, and Hobby Clubs Council, was present at the August emergency powers meeting where Burgio unveiled his allocation plan, but Guzman said he felt a higher percentage should be allocated to clubs.

Guzman motioned to give 40 percent to clubs instead of 35, and 40 percent to entertainment instead of 45.

"My biggest reasoning is, with the way they're thinking of allocating it, I don't feel SA clubs are being treated in the proper manner they should be," Guzman said. "Clubs are the backbone of SA, and if it wasn't for club members, it would be difficult for us to have staff to work SA's big events. Our clubs are willing to do so much and go out there for SA whenever we need anything."

Guzman also said he isn't sure clubs are fully aware of the details of Burgio's plan.

"I don't know if the SA E-board has properly notified the clubs of a time frame for the increase," he said. "I don't think the clubs were properly notified that it would be a gradual increase."

Guzman said he would rather see clubs get a bigger chunk of money over a shorter time span.

"I do not agree with a 10 percent increase, I think it should happen a little more drastically than that," he added. "The student body is accustomed to a certain way of life, and SA provides them with certain activities, and SA can't lower its own standards."

When the mandatory fee and increase passed, Burgio and other SA officials said they were pleased with the outcome, and that money allocations would soon be underway.

Both Burgio and Guzman said the Senate's finance committee, and the Senate as a whole, will ultimately decide how the allocation is passed.

For clubs like the College Republicans, any increase is a good increase.

Duncan Stanley, treasurer of the College Republicans, said his club's budget was submitted a couple of weeks ago, and they are still waiting on a decision of how much they will be allotted.

"Last year we were special interest club of the year," he said. "We got a 20 percent budget increase last year which brought us to $550. We had asked for $9,000 though, since we've been around for five years and have between 50 and 60 members."

Stanley said he believes the College Republicans' requested budget this year was roughly about $7,000.

"If we got $7,000 I'd be shocked beyond belief," he said. "Hey, if we got a thousand dollars we'd be dancing."

Keisha Etienne, treasurer of the Black Student Union, said she's happy with the overall money and support her club has received from SA. Etienne said her club got little over $20,000 for their budget last year, which was around the same figure they requested.

"SA is there for the clubs, and they're all about the clubs," Etienne said. "They are willing to support and willing to give."

Burgio said he's found in the past that when clubs are given too much money, they stop fundraising. Burgio's allocation plan is also meant to help rebuild SA's depleted reserves.

"I mean the Senate could choose to give $115,000 to clubs right away, but it's tremendously foolish," Burgio said. "It will be allocated over the three or four year time span, and we're going to put extra money into reserves. I want to have about half a million dollars in reserves. It's easy to overspend the budget and a half-million dollar cushion would ensure that it wouldn't happen again."

As for the fee increase, Burgio said the immediate increase was needed to keep SA up to par.

"We wanted to maintain services and expand everything," he said. "I want to keep up the campaign promise."

Burgio said as long as the SA Senate votes for his plan in April, clubs should start to see their first 10 percent increase.

To determine which clubs receive the most money, Burgio said he will follow a strict tier system, meaning whichever clubs are the most successful will receive the most money.

According to Burgio, his tier system will also determine which clubs will benefit the most.

"With the system, we'll take money from bad clubs and give it to good clubs to keep it balanced," he said.

"Hopefully we'll have enough in the reserves that we won't need another fee increase in four years," Burgio added. "This should allow us to have steady growth at a marginal rate."