Student organizations and University departments that do not have funds for conferences and conventions might receive more financial help this semester.
Members of the committee that oversee payment of money from the Organizational Relief Fund — which helps defray costs for conventions and competitions — are proposing to change the eligibility requirements to allow organizations to receive funds once a semester, instead of once an academic year.
The committee will vote on Thursday whether to change the eligibility.
Jenny Byrd, ORF committee chair and Student Government vice president, said the committee has never used all the money it is alloted and would like to make that money more available.
“I would love to have a year when the fund runs out,” Byrd said.
The fund, created in 1979, awarded about $110,000 last year to organizations and University departments.
Byrd said the fund will have enough money to pay for additional trips without raising student fees.
Byrd said the change in eligibility will allow student organizations and University departments to go on more trips and better represent the University at conferences, conventions and competitions.
Organizations that have benefited from the fund agree with Byrd.
“ORF has made it possible for our organization to represent LSU at a national level,” said Amanda Heard, president of the National Student Speech, Language and Hearing Association. “Without ORF many of our students would not be able to participate in these educational opportunities due to the financial burden many students face.”
The funds come from a $3 undergraduate student fee each spring semester — graduate and veterinary students pay a separate fee.
Dean of Students Kevin Price said students are awarded funds based on the decisions of the committee made of two faculty members, two administrators and six students.
The number of students was doubled from three to six last semester, so that students would make up a majority of the committee.
The eligible groups are awarded reimbursement funds, Byrd said. The committee awards applicants before they go on the trips. When they return from the trip, the committee reimburses the group.