Club budgets, collaboration opportunities discussed at SGA
By Avery Slavin
News Editor
SGA discussed co-curricular funding and collaborations at the first Club Representative Meeting on Sept. 22.
SGA President Shubham Valand began the meeting by informing the representatives of the other required sessions they must attend.
If any meetings are missed by the clubs, they have a chance of getting a cut in funding.
Vice President Nathan Piette encouraged the representatives to share their collaborative ideas involving other clubs on campus.
Some of these ideas include a snow tubing trip with BSU and Outing Club, a Black History Month event hosted by BSU and Fashion Club, a Volunteers of FSU and Aspiring Health Professionals blood drive, and a bedazzling night with Art Club and FSAB.
Piette proposed an idea about a campus-wide event involving each organization and residence halls in an FSU version of the game, “Family Feud.”
He said the prizes for the event could draw in a lot of engagement considering the amount of resources that could be allocated if each club participates.
Valand then did a quick review of Big Budget, explaining each club’s placement in the six groups and how it decides their allocated funds.
If a club petitions to move to a higher group, SGA will consider the number of events being held, the attendance at these events, effective communication with SGA, and the clubs themselves showing up to required events like open houses and the organization officer training.
BSU President Angel De Leon asked if it were possible not to take attendance on RamLink and do it on an Excel spreadsheet instead.
Piette said no, as the data would not be accurate, leading to discrepancies when it comes to altering the budget if needed.
“If 100 people say a month before they want to go, we submit an Excel spreadsheet, and then only 30 people show up, it just wouldn’t be accurate information,” Piette said.
Valand said clubs cannot move into group 1 unless they are already there, but if they run out of money, they are allowed to go to SGA to ask for extra funds.
Group 1 consists of FSAB, WDJM, FSAB, and The Gatepost.
Valand said clubs should be receiving an email within the next month about whether they’d like to change their allocation groups.
Piette suggested clubs be proactive and plan most of their events for the year in the Fall semester even if the event does not take place until the Spring to get an idea about how much funding they might need from SGA.
Valand said out of the 45-50 clubs on campus, only eight used 100 percent of their funds last year.
Piette said that students pay a student activities fee that goes toward the Student Activities Trust Fund. SGA draws from these funds for activities and events.
He added when clubs don’t use all their budget, it is wasted. It goes into a reserve account and can no longer be used for student activities anymore.
“It is good to use the money, but you have to use it responsibly. Use it for the things you’re supposed to use it for - organize events, take good attendance, get people involved, and let’s spend the activity money. It’s for us to do fun things,” Piette said.
Valand ended the meeting by reminding the club representatives the other two dates of the required club sessions, including the Administrators’ Forum following the meeting in November, where students will have the opportunity to get their questions answered in real time by individuals like President Nancy Niemi and other top members of administration.
