Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) are mainly funded in two ways: 1) through their own fundraising efforts and 2) through the SGA Senate Ways and Means Committee. Fundraising money goes into an RSO’s revenue account. Money from the Ways and Means Committee are stored in a separate fee account.
Every year, the Ways and Means Committee puts together the budget that funds RSO activity. The Committee proposes this budget to the Senate, which votes on it, after which it needs to be approved by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jean Kim.
Meeting Time: 4:30pm-6:00pm in the SGA Student Conference room, 413 Student Union
Members: Chairman Mike Cusher, Queenette Adegbite, Bill Bebrin, Diego Fellows, Priya Ghosh, Scott MacKay, Brandon Malits, Caroline Nutting, Caleb Raspler, Sandy Recinos, and Edward Tedesco.
According to the SGA By-Laws the Ways and Means Committee shall:
- Provide for the appointment of at least fve (5) ex-offcio members who shall be members of Registered Student Organizations.
- Review and recommend to the Senate, legislation relating to Title VI of the By-laws of the SGA.
- Formulate the Proposed Annual SGA S-1 Budget Act.
- Assist the Secretary of Finance in the effective implementation Acts of the SGA within the Committee’s jurisdiction” [T2,C31,S2]
Long Term Budget Funding
The Ways and Means Committee works hard all year in order to fairly compile the $2 million budget. Even though this seems like a lot of money, it never seems like enough when it comes to funding student activities through groups such as UPC, the Ski and Board Club, and more. The Committee works many hours a week
The budget process begins with the individual RSOs, who each need to submit a Budget Proposal. The Committee then considers each proposal and makes sure that the proposals all together do not exceed the funds available. If an RSO does not agree with the Committee’s decision, it may make an appeal.
The RSO Budget Proposal Process
- Brainstorm and Consult: The RSO’s Treasurer should meet with the RSO E-Board to discuss the RSO’s plans for the upcoming year. The Treasurer should also talk to the RSO’s previous year’s Treasurer as well as the RSO’s advisor.
- Need vs. Want: The Treasurer and E-Board will need to decide which budget components are necessary for the group’s existence. They must decide what they need as opposed to what they would like to have.
- Communicate Priorities: Because the Committee may need to make cuts to a budget, rating events or budget components within the Excel spreadsheet will help the Committee to make the best decisions. Which components can afford a cut and which cannot? The more you write, the better the Committee can serve your RSO!
- Complete and Turn In the Budget Packet: Budget packets should be turned in to the Committee Chair in a timely fashion.
Do’s and Don’ts
DON’T: Try to create the budget by yourself, since the group needs to decide together upon the budget priorities. The more people involved, the less likely mistakes will be made.
DO: Work closely with someone who will be an active member next year.
DO: Review your Budget Packet with the E-Board and RSO advisor before turning it in to the Committee Chair.
DON’T: Procrastinate! Deadlines approach quickly…
DO: Research the current costs of items asked for, as they might have changed from last year.
What Not to Ask For
- Travel – unless it is crucial to the success of a group’s mission
- Food – unless it is crucial to the success of a group’s event
- Payroll and other line items that are not a part of the RSO status (Lecturers and entertainment fall under the consultant line item)
- A single event that uses more money than the rest of your group’s expenses
- No fundraising material, such as t-shirts (this comes out of the group’s Revenue Account and proceeds go back to that account)
- Telephone expenses if you do not have an office
There are exceptions to these recommendations based on the group’s constitution and obligations.