Student Fee Allocation Process

The weather outside may have frozen over, but in SRC, things are just starting to heat up.

What is making things really hot right now though are the heated debates about the Student Fee Allocation Process, known not-so-lovingly as SFAP to anyone who has sat through these meetings.

SFAP distributes student fees to other organizations such as, but not limited to, the University Programming Council, the cultural centers, the Women’s Resource Center, the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Allies program, the Center for International Education, and themselves.

Last night the council decided to cap their discussion to only an hour-long discussion, which was later extended by 10 minutes. The next two meetings, however, will probably go uncapped so they can critically discuss each aspect of the proposed budgets. The reason they limited the time on this meeting was because it was the first viewing of the budget. Previous SFAP meetings have taken up to five hours before.

Only four programs did not receive their requested amount, and two of them received more, which was one of the questions raised.

"Why don't we give the groups what they ask for, and what is left, put that toward meeting the other requests," said Jay Dinges, the Professional Administrative Staff Council representative.

Student-at-large Spencer Worley introduced the most heated discussion. He proposed that SRC zero fund themselves for next year in order to allow next year’s council to focus solely on the revision of the bylaws.

Primary reactions dubbed the proposition as ludicrous and Worley as nuts. SRC did debate the issue, and although they recognized that it was a well-thought out proposition, and despite Worley’s feelings that the long-term effects would outweigh the short term, SRC did not agree with him.

“By not funding SRC, you would disenfranchise the students,” Student Trustee Bob Vincent said.

From their budget, SRC funds several programs like the Center for Peer Education and off-campus housing. Most significantly, a few of the vice presidents would not be able to fulfill aspects of their positions. For example, the budget for the vice president for student organizations funds all the clubs and organizations on campus. Or, some of the vice president for student affair’s budget goes to funding conference grants so students can travel to other places to gain experience and ideas.

"Our job is to make sure this campus is the best for our students," said Cameron Cowan, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences representative.

The next meeting will be 5:30 p.m. April 1 in the conference room of the University Center. Students are welcome to attend.