The student government committee that recommends how much incidental-fee money to give to student groups reduced funding for three groups on Monday, mainly because the groups didn’t spend all of last year’s funds. Three other student groups received a raise in funding.
The Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation received the largest decrease, receiving $8,000, a $771 decrease from last year’s budget.
JELL business editor Patrick Fitzgerald and editor in chief Jed Barden told Programs Finance Committee members the journal costs roughly $12,000 to produce and only makes roughly $3,700, leaving a funding gap of $8,300. The PFC gave roughly $5,000 last year to the program, which left a gap of $3,300 in the budget. Fitzgerald and Barden told the PFC that a grant was needed to fund last year’s publishing costs.
The Asian-Pacific American Law Students Association received $2,786, a $180 increase over last year’s budget. The group, represented by University law students Anita Yan and Ivan Jen, said APALSA contributes to law school activities, hosts speakers and sends its members to conferences nationwide.
The PFC heavily questioned the group because it didn’t use all of its money last year. Members increased funding for the group’s conferences.
The PFC approved a 10 percent increase in funding for the Art History Association, a group for art history students that emphasizes professional development, resume building and collecting professional connections and hosts an annual symposium. The group received a total of $602.
The PFC gave CASL a 10 percent increase for a total of $500.
CASL provides experimental learning experiences. The group leads and contributes to many special projects and holds various workshops.
The PFC reduced the budget for the local chapter of Amnesty International by 11 percent, for a total of $309, because the group only spent 45 percent of its funding last year. Many PFC members initially wanted to make a 34 percent decrease in funds.
Amnesty International coordinators Tracy Dowds and Liz Jacoby said the cuts would make group growth extremely difficult and that this year the group is under new leadership and will be much more aware of spending.
The PFC gave the Geology Club $300 for a field trip to the Wallowa Mountains.
Group representative Hans Cary said the trip would be a learning experience for anyone who wanted to go.
Although the club is planning several fundraisers, the group requested $300 for gas and campground fees.
The PFC reduced the budget for the Family Law in Practice group to $248, a decrease of about 33 percent. The group educates law students through workshops, guest speakers and other similar events in a wide area of family practices.
PFC members said it reduced the group’s funding because FLIP had poor planning and money management.