CCC allocates 2003-04 club funds
By MATT BRAMANTI
News Writer
The Club Coordination Council released its budget for the 2003-04 academic year, allocating over $256,000 to 215 student clubs and the Student Senate approved it Thursday. The annual funding allocations represent less than 1/4 of clubs' estimated expenditures, said CCC president Seth O'Donnell.
Controller Tim Lavelle agreed and said the limited amount of resources makes the allocation process difficult.
"Clubs need as much financial support as possible," the pair wrote in a letter explaining the budget report to the Student Senate. The report also identified trends in student activities over the past few years, including "improvements in club activities, increased number of clubs, and increased desire for clubs to become more active on campus."
Lavelle said the clubs' competition for funds leads to close budgetary scrutiny by CCC officials.
"Each club goes through extensive interview processes," Lavelle said. "We look at how fiscally responsible the club is."
Student clubs' budgets and demand for money have outstripped the CCC allocations, leaving clubs with the task of raising large sums of money. The total predicted spending by all clubs amounts to about $1,125,000, but only $305,000 is being allocated. The funding comes primarily from the annual student activities fee that all undergraduates are required to pay, though some money also comes from proceeds from the sale of The Shirt.
This year's student fee was $80, which University administrators raised from last year's $65, though O'Donnell said student clubs still can't get all the funding they need. "There's just not enough to go around," O'Donnell said.
In light of the overwhelming demand for funding, the CCC has put measures into place to encourage fiscal responsibility among club leaders. The Student Activities Office must approve all expenditures by student clubs.
"They're pretty strict about that," O'Donnell said.
The new CCC regulations, outlined in a recently drafted strategic plan, include a requirement that clubs submit periodic reports to CCC representatives.
O'Donnell said he hopes the new measures will help to improve student life, as well as stretch the club funding dollar. The budget includes two discretionary funds designed to provide supplementary funding to clubs. The Contingency Fund contains $25,000 available by application to clubs who encounter unforeseen circumstances and need additional funding.
"If an athletic club makes it to nationals and needs to travel, this is where they would come," O'Donnell said.
The $5,000 Collaboration Fund helps promote efficient programming by offering extra money to clubs who work together to plan an event, instead of holding potentially competing events.
The budget also provides for a reorganization of the CCC into six divisions: academic, athletic, cultural, performing arts, social service and special interest groups. Each division has three representatives who make allocation decisions for the clubs in their jurisdiction. Representatives also offer advice and collaborative help to club leaders. O'Donnell expressed confidence that the revamped CCC will help improve student activities while making the most efficient use of limited funds.
All News Stories for Tuesday, April 15, 2003
