Several Saint Mary's clubs and organizations asked for more funding at the Student Government Association meeting Wednesday.
SGA recently gave out allotments, which is the amount of money each club or organization receives for the year to cover start-up costs for events. The Board's Finance Committee will take three of the five appeals into
consideration.
Al-Zahra, a club representing the Middle Eastern and North African cultures, appealed the money allotted to it because funds were low following their first event, Kaitlyn Sahd, president of the club, said.
"The purpose of club is to try and raise awareness of Arabic culture and issues on Saint Mary's campus," Al-Zahra vice president Caroline Proulx said. "It's an outlet for [Muslim students] to help express their identity and what it truly means to be Muslim in the United States."
The Board voted to have the allotment appealed and it will be presented to the Board again once the Finance Committee reviews it, Rachael Chesley, student body president, said.
Circle K, a club that encourages volunteering in the community, appealed their allotment as well. Club President Amanda Garrett said entrance fees to the national organization have changed, which made it harder for the club to hold its usual events.
"We do a lot of volunteer activities throughout the year," Garrett said. "We have parties for the Center for the Homeless and work with the convent here."
The Board voted for the Finance Committee to review Circle K's allotment.
The National Student Speech-Language & Hearing Association (NSSLHA) organization on campus also attended Wednesday's meeting in search of more funds.
Katie Staak, president of the group, said a fundraising event to sell apples would not be possible year because inclement weather destroyed their supply. As a result, the group's budget for the year has changed.
But Chesley said no new information could be added during the appeal to help keep the process fair. The Board voted against the appeal.
Saint Mary's Straight and Gay Alliance (SAGA) also appealed their allotment. Karen Borja, president of the club, said the group's executives were new to the process and didn't understand how allotments work.
Treasurer Meg Griffin said the instructions and bylaws for the allotments were included in e-mails sent to club and organization presidents, and that student government was also available for questions. The Board voted against reviewing the appeal.
The Social Work Club was the last to present their appeal to SGA. President Maria Kenney said she was concerned with the allotment because the club's events don't reach the minimum for sponsorship through SGA and their estimated revenue from club dues was not as high as anticipated.
Kenney said the club hosts events with Hope Ministries and St. Margaret's House in South Bend during the year.
SGA voted to have their allotment reviewed by the Finance Committee.
