Student Government is finishing the application process for club appropriations this week.
Every fall and spring semester, Student Government accepts applications for funding from University clubs. Organizations that wish to apply fill out a basic application and are assigned to a Student Senate member who helps them interview with the appropriations committee.
“I thoroughly enjoy this process because I feel that this is one of the most important things Student Government does for the students,” Ethan Harrelson, the student senate president and a senior in biological sciences, said.
The applications for funding opened on Jan. 24 and are due by midnight on Thursday. According to Harrelson, appropriations are beneficial to the entire student body because it presents opportunities for on-campus events and gives organizations the opportunity to further the University’s name.
“Appropriations benefit the entire student body because we fund events on campus that are open to the whole student body. Also, organizations go all over the country and improve the reputation of N.C. State. Student Government does a lot for students; however, this directly benefits organizations and the University with immediate results,” Harrelson said.
The entire process for appropriations funding should be finished by the first week of March, according to Harrelson. Student Government is planning on being able to cut checks by the end of March.
Buddy Bryson, the student body treasurer and a junior in sociology, said that nearly half of Student Government’s budget goes to appropriations. Last semester $85,138.24 was given out to the 171 organizations that applied for funding last semester.
“This is one of the largest things that we do. Student Government works for the students; almost half of our budget goes directly back to the students,” Bryson said.
Bryson said that last semester’s numbers were some of the highest that Student Government has on record. The numbers for this semester look very similar.
“I know this is one of the highest numbers we have ever had, and that’s great,” Bryson said.
According to Bryson, it is rare for an organization to apply and not receive any funding at all from Student Government. The main reason for an organization not receiving any money is bad receipt keeping or budget issues.
“We have been very fortunate that we’ve been able to cover almost every expense within our budget,” Bryson said.
John Galloway, a sophomore in environmental technology and president of the University’s B-boy Club, said that the process is hard to complete but worth the reward.
“It’s an extensive application, but I understand the need to document the information because it is student money and it should be ensured that everyone is using it properly,” Galloway said.
The application for appropriations can be found on the Student Government website.
“I 100 percent support the appropriations process because it supports motivated people who are willing to further N.C. State University,” Galloway said.
