With the deadline for applications only a few days away, clubs and University organizations must act quickly if they hope to receive appropriated funds from the Student Government in the spring semester.

Through the Senate Appropriations Committee, existing student groups can receive up to $4,000 to help cover the costs of travel, lodging and outside consultants; while newly formed groups can apply for as much as $300 to assist with start-up expenses.

Appropriations Committee Chair Hayley Gula, a freshman in communication and political science, said Student Government has more than $40,000 to give out this semester and is endeavoring to conduct procedures as efficiently as possible this semester.

“We are open to suggestions from any group, we know the process isn’t perfect,” Gula said.

There are several items that are considered ineligible by the committee for funding. Salaries for advisers or student leaders, alcoholic beverages, food of any kind and events that are socially oriented all fall into this category. Also, organizations reapplying for aid must present receipts reflecting the amount of their past awarded disbursements.

“We are slowly narrowing down the process to an art ensuring that student funds are spent properly,” the committee’s vice-chair, Adam Compton, a sophomore in civil engineering, said.

To further insure proficiency, each application requires the support of a sponsoring senator from the appropriations committee. These senators act as a liaison between the group and the committee and make recommendations on the group’s behalf.

Sen. Benton Sawrey, a freshman in business management and international studies, said he plans to sponsor several groups in this coming appropriation and is optimistic about the impact he can make.

“My role is to advocate for the group and be a guide through the process. I sit beside them in the committee meeting and once the organization leaves I explain to the committee how they benefit the student body,” Sawrey said.

Following an interview process, which will take place from Feb. 20th – Feb. 23rd, all applications will be submitted, along with the committee’s recommendations, to the Student Senate. There, senators are free to voice any objections or vote on amending the money allocations as they see fit.

“We base much of our decision on their budget, but there are many factors that go into it. We look at their organization and purpose and match funds accordingly,” Gula said.

After an appeals process where any additional hearings are held, Student Body Treasurer Seneca Toms, a senior in horticulture science, will submit a request to the University accounting department for the desired funds.

According to Compton, this step takes the longest and it is often more than a month before this request is processed and the money is sent out.

Despite this wait, Gula, Compton, Sawrey and Toms all agree that appropriations are one of the most important services that student government provided to the campus and are ready to get to work.

“I encourage everyone to apply. Student Government is always looking for ways to go out and touch students, and appropriations is the most direct way to do it,” Toms said.