A recent bylaw change means student organizations can receive funding from ASUI to pay for food and labor.
Max Cowan, ASUI senator, wrote the bill which allows the activities board to fund food and labor costs, which was previously restricted.
“Essentially, the change (is) so organizations can request funding for food and labor costs for large events held on campus and in the Moscow community as long as purchased from the university,” Cowan said.
Cowan said the change stems from the feedback of student organizations over the past few years. He said student organizations have always struggled to purchase food for events, Movimiento Activista Social being a recent example.
Davis set a precedent this month showing that ASUI doesn’t give out funds “willy nilly,” which stemmed from MAS’ request for additional funding for food.
She said although they requested funding for food, that wasn’t the largest issue. The issue was they were “double dipping.”
Davis said her veto of bill F12-42 sparked discussion where she decided that food should be able to be funded by ASUI, as long as it is for a large event where all students are welcome.
“There is a university regulation that food must be purchased from a licensed kitchen, so we want to fund specifically food for organizations because it is more expensive than purchasing elsewhere,” Cowan said. “We also want to make sure they comply with university regulations and ensure the funds are used responsibly.”
Davis said she is glad the changes were made.
“The discussion that was had over my veto and over the bill was a good catalyst for ASUI to review its procedures,” Davis said. “This change in bylaws doesn’t go against the precedent I set, but enforces our views and shows that ASUI is ready to change and move forward to help students in a way that is most beneficial.”
Cowan said the bylaw change will also allow funding for labor, something that previously was not allowed.
He said it is specifically designed to pay for sound production and lighting.
“UI separates costs for sound production and lighting equipment and sound production and lighting labor,” Cowan said, which has been an issue for student organizations who try to pay for the services.
He said there was some concern with the changes that clubs would use the funds for meetings, but said this concern was remedied by only allowing food funding for large events.
“The biggest thing is it should help student organizations in promoting a lively campus,” Cowen said. “That’s really the goal.”
Katy Sword can be reached at [email protected]