For student groups aiming to bring big-name speakers to campus, receiving money from Associated Student Government’s Student Activities Finance Board represents only the first step in the process.
SAFB finished dishing out fall supplemental funding earlier this month, rankling some groups, including College Republicans, which did not receive the money they requested for speakers. Competition for funds can be intense, but receiving the money is just the beginning.
Budgeting the money received, dealing with agency bureaus and drawing up contracts comes next. Northwestern’s Panhellenic Association, which derecognized itself from ASG in October, plans each quarter’s budget at the beginning of the year, said Panhel President Kelly Shimizu.
“If we plan on having a big name, we allocate more money,” said Shimizu, an Education senior.
This quarter Panhel helped bring Omarosa Manigault Stallworth from NBC’s “The Apprentice” to NU. Last fall Panhel brought a more expensive, higher-profile speaker, Candace Bushnell, author of “Sex and the City.”
When Panhel was an ASG-recognized group, Shimizu said it used to pool the SAFB money and money from its account, mostly made up of sorority dues. Now officials just uses the group’s account. After planning the budget, Shimizu said Panhel go to companies that manage speakers to find out prices. Panhel then must negotiate the contracts with help from NU.
Jeremy Wingerter, former assistant director for the Center for Student Involvement, said before a student group can request a contract for the speaker, it must reserve a space and have enough money in its account. Then the group may request a contract from the speaker’s agent.
CSI pairs the student group with an adviser to review the contract and make any adjustments. Then the approval process begins. The entire approval process takes about two weeks.
Andrew Proksel, president of College Democrats, said he believes the money portion of sponsoring speakers often is overrated.
“SAFB is really easy to work with,” said Proksel, a Weinberg junior. “I think the hardest part is dealing with the time line — getting the money, putting in the bid with the speaker and getting the venue.”
Jessica Fee, vice president of the university division at the Greater Talent Network, said groups such as her own offer a lot to student organizations trying to bring speakers to their campuses.
“If I know a Northwestern organization is lusting after a certain speaker, I will remember that when planning other events in the area,” Fee said.
When there are certain big names in the area, Fee said her agency can help bring them to NU for a reduced rate.
Denise Yasinow, executive vice president of Hillel Cultural Life, said this was the case with Mike Reiss, producer and writer for “The Simpsons.” He also visited the Jewish Federation of Chicago the week he spoke on the Evanston Campus.
Reach Corrie Driebusch at [email protected].
