Ribeau, in his first address to USG in five years, gave statistics suggesting University growth, including higher and more diverse enrollment, better technology and an additional $6 million toward financial aid.
Next, he answered questions on higher education funding, campus safety and the powers of student government.
In response to cuts in state funding, Ribeau said the University is lucky to have retained its most important programs, particularly, academic.
“Other University’s have had worse times in similar situations,” he said.
Soon after Ribeau left the podium, Nick Froslear, chairperson of USG’s Finance Committee, told the group that they will now have access to $5,000 to distribute to student organizations to hire event security. That amount will increase to $11,000 next year, $5,500 per semester.
Approved by Ed Whipple, vice president for Student Affairs, the proposal is not meant to be a handout for any group needing event security, Froslear said. The USG Budget Committee will decide if groups are worthy of funds based on how organized their budgets are and on how wisely previous funds have been used.
Established events that already have security plans will have less access to funds, added Jason Sobota, speaker of the senate. “It’s more of a stepping stone for smaller organizations to start putting on bigger events,” he said.
Froslear and USG President Jon Bragg have been working to get access to security funds for over a year.
The idea was conceived at the organizational roundtable meeting in November of 2000. Fraternities and sororities within the National Pan-Hellenic Council said they were unable to host icebreakers, non-alcoholic parties used as fundraisers, because security was too expensive.
“These are positive events, but they have to pay too much for security to hold them,” Bragg said. “These events improve campus life.”
In the future, Froslear would like USG to have more say over the $468,000 given to organizations. “(The group) once had more power a long time ago, but it was abused,” he said. “Now we want to show the University that this group has matured.”
Froslear described how it is set to work: The 315 student organizations on campus will have access to funds based on their size, the type of event and their ability to fund it among other factors. Should a group spend all its funds for a semester, they could negotiate with other organizations to use their money. They could also co-sponsor an event, pooling their funds.
Froslear hopes added interaction will lead to more campus unity. “Hopefully, groups will combine and work together,” he said.
The rules regarding funds are subject to change in the future, he added. “Jon and I have developed rules, but things may not work perfectly once things get rolling -that’s why it’s flexible.”
Organizations interested in applying for funds should contact either Nick Froslear at [email protected] or Jon Bragg at [email protected].
