Speculated rumors about a change in the club appropriations process have circulated around to numerous students. Concerns about the student senate’s involvement in the budget presentation process have been voiced out, as well as concerns about where funds are allocated, and Jean Couture, Director of Student Engagement and Leadership, spoke with the Crier to debunk the rumor that has been concerning students involved in clubs/organizations on campus.
The rumor that has been circulating is regarding the Saint Anselm club appropriations process, which appropriates the funds for SGA clubs/organizations/committees. Several students have questioned whether or not the process has changed with concern about whether the student senate can access the budget presentations. “No changes were made to the appropriations process,” Couture said. SGA still remains as a part of the process, and “voting members [at the meeting] are the SGA Finance Committee,” said Couture.
Mixed rumors about CAB’s budget have been circulating, regarding the source of the organization’s funding. According to Couture, “all SGA clubs/organizations/committees inclusive of CAB, as CAB is a branch of SGA, are eligible for funding,” as long as they fulfill the requirements for school clubs/organizations. Since CAB is included in the fund appropriation process, they too “present[s] their request for funding to SGA,” Couture said. All funds are allocated based on request, and CAB’s funds are not allocated differently.
Separate from the funding from SGA is the funding for the Service Societies. Though Couture does not have direct oversight of the Service Societies at Saint Anselm, she does know that “it is separate. SGA does not fund the Service Societies [as they] are not SGA organizations,” Couture said. Society budgets go through a different process than SGA budgets, and since the Service Societies fall under a different jurisdiction, they do not get presented at the appropriations meeting that other clubs and organizations do.
What exactly occurs at an appropriations meeting? Well, the appropriations meetings are held in March or April of each spring, and “the SGA Finance Committee, members of SGA leadership, the SGA Advisor, SEAL director, and a member of College Finance are all present at the Spring Appropriations meeting,” Couture said. The SGA constitution specifies particular members who are present at the meeting, but there is involvement from several members of the college, including students. “The appropriation decisions made by the SGA Finance Committee are presented at an SGA Senate meeting in the fall and the allocated amounts are dispersed to clubs/orgs/committees after the October 1 enrollment census by the College,” Couture said.
Along with the funding from SGA, all Saint Anselm clubs/organizations/committees pay a Student Activity Fee. Though the exact price of the fee is not known by Couture, she said “that amount is set by College Leadership, or perhaps set by a member of the College Finance team,” but it may “that amount is set by College Leadership, or perhaps set by a member of the College Finance team.” The Student Activity Fee’s allocation is not directly known by Couture, but she knows “only that a portion of it goes to SGA.” This information is more likely to fall under the jurisdiction of College Finance or Senior Leadership.
A focal issue noticed by club presidents and vice presidents is the issue of reimbursement. Clubs are eligible for reimbursement if students pay out of pocket for things regarding the club. A mileage reimbursement, for example, gets paid to the Editor-in-Chief of the Crier, who drives on her own mileage to pick up the print copies of every issue.
There have been concerns about the amount that is reimbursed, and Couture said “this process/discussion/evaluation involves the Controller of the College, Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students/SGA Advisor, Dr. Alicia Finn, myself, SGA Secretary of Finance, as well as the Student Body/SGA President and Vice-President.” The process of determining how much students/student clubs will get reimbursed has to go through several members of the college before being allocated back to students.
To many students it may seem that the price for reimbursement is lower now than it has been in the past, but Couture said that “there has not been a ‘price drop.’The rate has been the same for several years. We are currently in the midst of re-evaluating the reimbursement rate.” Re-evaluation is something club members can expect to see, and hopefully will be more satisfied with the reimbursement rate that will come. It has been several years since it has been re-evaluated, and Couture said “we are all in agreement, it is time to reassess the rate of reimbursement for clubs/orgs.”
With all of the rumors regarding club funding here at Saint Anselm, Jean Couture was happy to set the record straight. If more issues do arise, for all club members/elected officials, make sure to voice those concerns to those who are leading the processes of club funding and fund allocation. Current issues are in the process of being worked out, but in the case of further issues, allow them to reassess.