Student government enrolled SG Bill No. 1 on Wednesday, giving student organizations easier access to money in the Programs, Support and Initiatives Fund.
The passing of the bill allows funds to be available immediately.
“Passing this is a huge deal,” Speaker pro tempore Trey Schwartzenburg said. ”It will affect a lot of students.”
The amendments to the bylaws of SG Bill No.1 would repurpose $250,000 that has been sitting, untouched, in an account since the mid-90s, according to Schwartzenburg.
The bill states the money will be distributed to support the SG Spring Concert Event, Homecoming Concert Event, a paid admissions concert series, provide relief funding to Recreational Sports Club Team, charter new student organizations, support student organizations sponsored conferences, late-night alcohol free activities and aid organizations in launching unique student initiatives.
SG Bill No. 1, written by Senators Max Mirrane and Taylor Stewart establishes an Organizations Initiatives Fund, which would provide financial assistance to student groups launching unique student initiatives.
Stewart said unique student initiatives are those that are new to the University. Student groups are only allowed to receive money from the fund once per academic year.
Events funded through this account must meet the requirement of realistically expecting an estimated attendance of at least 500 students.
The bill also allows money to be allocated to support an exclusive-use initiative and a community-use initiative.
Exclusive-use is restricted to use by one organization. And community-use must be a program that benefits the whole University community.
Both require student organizations to provide evidence these initiatives will be sustainable for at least three years.
Funds open $250,000 to student groups
By Camille Stelly
September 26, 2013