Student fee-funded programs that missed out on regular budget hearings were given another chance Tuesday as the Programs Finance Committee, the student government body that recommends how much in incidental fees to give to groups, heard appeals from several groups.
Students pay $191 in incidental fees each term.
The first group to appeal was the Arts and Administration Student Forum, which had been punished initially for turning in its budget late.
The AASF representative said there was no valid excuse for turning it in late but that they would be more responsible in the future.
The appeal sparked debate among the committee members about best way to punish the group.
“My concern with programs with late budgets is that we said we would defund them, and if we grant their appeal, we would have to look at all appeals with clear eyes,” PFC members Jacob Daniels said.
PFC member Erica Anderson argued that as a traditionally funded group, AASF knows that if it doesn’t turn in its appeals on time it will be defunded.
The Athletic Department Finance Committee and the Oregon Future Lawyers Association also turned in budgets late, but their appeals were granted quickly.
The Oregon Law Students Public Interest Fund appealed to the PFC and its appeal was granted. Its budget was decreased by $49.
Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals appealed a recent decrease that group member felt was too harsh.
Representatives said that the group’s management was not very organized last year, but now it is under new management and has a busy year planned. The group’s appeal was granted.
“A $400 decrease is mega harsh,” PFC member Kristin Kato said. “They have plans for the rest of year, so that seems extreme.”
A motion by the American Institute of Architecture was approved. Students in the group are trying to rebuild the group after a drastic member decline last year.
The United Nations of International Children’s Emergencies made an appeal but the group’s appeal was moved to a later date.
Before appeals the Pre-Health Society, Math Club and the Women’s Law Forum appeared before the PFC for their ordinary budget hearings.
The Pre-Health Society and Women’s Law Forum both received an increase in funds and the Math Club’s budget remained the same.