By Dan FletcherThe Daily Northwestern
The Associated Student Government will begin debating fall supplementary funding for some of Northwestern’s student groups at tonight’s meeting.
The Student Activities Funding Board will present packets to ASG senators detailing recommendations on adjustments made to A-status student group funding.
“The recommendations are based on applications student groups put in last week,” said Speaker of the Senate Jonathan Webber, a SESP junior.
Financial Vice President Sara Ittelson, a Communication senior, said each submitted application detailed exactly how the organization planned to use its funding. SAFB then considered the organization’s proposal and how it has managed funding in the past before making a recommendation.
“The total funds allotted will be $173,000 and some change,” Ittelson said.
ASG assigns the bulk of funding Spring Quarter. The amount given in fall is considerably smaller and serves only to supplement funding already provided to student groups.
Senators also will vote on creating a five-member ad hoc committee responsible for surveying student opinions. The committee’s findings would be used to better target ASG initiatives to student needs.
As proposed, the committee would be responsible for surveying up to 200 members of the student body and might employ focus groups, depending on the initiative.
Senators will vote with the new clicker system for the first time, as well. The system was supposed to be employed last week, but inexperience and a long meeting delayed it until tonight’s meeting.
“Some senators needed to learn the system – they hadn’t been able to come in and get training from me for one reason or another,” Webber said. “So the clickers will be used for the first time this week.”
With the organization considering fall funding, ASG officials such as President Jay Schumacher, a Communication senior, want the system in place to ensure accuracy.
At next week’s meeting, senators will be able to cut or add to the supplementary funds SAFB recommends for each organization, Webber said. There first will be a cutting phase, where funds can be removed and returned to a senate pool. These funds can then be added in a later round to organizations ASG deems appropriate.
Reach Dan Fletcher at [email protected].
