The Associated Student Government derecognized themselves as a student group in 1997 because they wanted to separate themselves from the groups they govern.
But ASG plans to request a new server that would house the ASG Web site and student group Web sites at tonight’s fall funding meeting, placing ASG in the same position as recognized student groups.
Since 1997, ASG has received its money through a Winter Quarter budgeting process. Only recognized student groups are allowed to appeal funding decisions in the fall. Although ASG’s appeals process during the fall funding meeting tonight does place them alongside other student groups, ASG Financial Vice President Carson Kuo said the funding allocation process puts “more stringent” standards on ASG.
“In funding cycles, students and senators take a closer look at what is recommended,” said Kuo, an Education senior, last week. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen an ASG budget fail.”
The Student Activities Finance Board denied ASG’s request last week because of a tight budget and an unclear proposal, Kuo said. But the server is considered a student group capital improvement, which is why it should be funded in the fall, he said. The server would give more space and Internet services to student groups and allow ASG to premiere a restaurant guide and a new ASG Web site — features that are not possible with the current server.
“It benefits the student groups,” Kuo said. “Student groups put on all the programming on campus, which is an integral part of social life on campus.”
This is not the first time ASG has made funding requests during the fall. An ASG request for a lawyer failed during supplemental funding in fall 2000. Money for the position was approved during ASG’s budgeting process Winter Quarter after lengthy debate in the Senate.
ASG Treasurer Edwin Chan said hiring a lawyer never should have been proposed during fall supplemental funding. Normally that money is reserved for programming events or for capital improvements, such as printers and computers.
“(The lawyer) is a service, which is something no other student group provides,” said Chan, a Weinberg senior.
An appeal to put paddleboats on the Lakefill also failed during fall supplemental funding last year after ASG members discovered it would have been illegal.
These appeals failed because of ASG’s shoddy track record last year, Chan said. The paddleboat request was unclear and the Chicago shuttle also encountered difficulty because of low usage, he said.
But Chan said ASG’s track record has improved this year, with increased ridership of the Chicago shuttle and improvements to their Web site.
ASG uses its winter budgeting process primarily to get necessary equipment such as paper and photocopier toner, Kuo said. Senators would have to overturn SAFB guidelines before they could grant these kinds of requests to student groups.
Although other student groups would not be granted these items, Kuo said they are necessary for ASG to function.
“They’re the student government of this campus,” Kuo said. “I don’t think you can hold the primary governing body on campus to the standards of other groups.”
SAFB already recommended $50,219 for ASG’s Chicago shuttle, a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day speaker and a binding machine. The Senate can vote to deny the recommendations of the SAFB before voting on additions.
At least one other group plans to appeal its funding recommendations: For Members Only will ask for about $25,000 for a Spring Quarter speaker. Of the $85,495 it originally requested, the group was received only $200, for printing fees.
