With the budget at Baker University under constant scrutiny, some students may be left asking why it seems student senate has been giving away extra cash.
“The $150 in the constitution is more like a baseline,” Student Senate President Chad
O'Bryhim said. "We suspend that area of the constitution about 90 percent of the time."<br/>O'Bryhim said the amount of money an organization receives depends on several different variables, which means it's not unusual for organizations to receive more than the $150 the constitution sets as a guideline.O'Bryhim said the amount of money an organization receives depends on several different variables, which means it's not unusual for organizations to receive more than the $150 the constitution sets as a guideline. O’Bryhim said the amount of money an organization receives depends on several different variables, which means it’s not unusual for organizations to receive more than the $150 the constitution sets as a guideline.
In the case of a group of students taking a spring break trip visiting several historical Civil Rights sites, about $375 was given.
Senate members decided to overrule the constitution because the trip is new and different.
Student senate spent $389 last year to pay for student entry and travel to the volleyball and football playoffs.
Senate also has helped other campus organizations, such as Art Club, Baker University Ultimate Frisbee, PEER Educators and others.
While it regularly overrules the constitution’s $150 limit, senate still gives the $150 standard to organizations that need a small amount of money for advertising or other costs that may not be covered by membership dues.
Students may be asking why the amounts given this year are so different in comparison to previous years.
O’Bryhim said in the past student senate has had leftover money in its budget that went back to the university.
“We have strived to change that this year,” O’Bryhim said. “It is important that we give that money to the organizations on campus.”
At the beginning of the year student senate received $11,200, but budget cuts reduced it to $7,000. Student Senate Treasurer Tiffany Bagsby said the balance is about $3,500.
For organizations to receive money from student senate, they must fill out a funding request form.
Then, they must appear at the open floor section during the 8 p.m. Tuesday meetings and explain who they are, which organization they are with and the purpose for the money to the 40 senators.
The organization also has to be able to prove an attempt to do fundraising for the money.
“I think if we have the money, we might as well spend it to help organizations with their plans,” Student Senate Vice President Gillian Joy said.
Joy encourages groups to come and apply for the money, but it is important for them to have their information straight and have a beneficial plan for the money.
She said it is important for people to understand that just because they apply for the money, there is no guarantee they will receive it.