Due to an influx of funding requests from student clubs and organizations, the Associated Students of the University of Idaho finance committee introduced a new maximum amount per request during this week’s Wednesday, Oct. 14 senate meeting.
“We have had so many unique club funding applications come our way … our budget stays fixed, but applications adjust as the year moves on, and we have received far more than we were originally anticipating … which is great, but that means we have to be more cautious as we spend money in the future,” said ASUI President Lance Butikofer during presidential communications.
During committee communications, Senator Caroline Crow, the chair of the finance committee, said, “President Butikofer and the finance team, have changed the maximum amount of club funding per club from $1,500 to $600. I understand that the change is abrupt and extreme, but I do ask you to bear with us … Please understand that the recommendations for each bill have been made within the new maximum amount, and within the club funding evaluation framework …”
The club funding evaluation framework, measures clubs on student reach, impact on individual students receiving the request, localized spending, representation of groups that are not usually represented on campus and the clubs use of other sources of funding or prior history of receiving funding from ASUI.
During the last senate meeting, bill F26-B05, allocating $1,500 to Vandal Motorsports, was introduced. The finance committee recommended that the bills allocation should be amended to $200 due to limitations of student reach and impact, as well as the club being able to receive funding from other locations, such as the College of Engineering. The $200 dollar allotment, proposed by the chair of the committee Senator Crowe, allows Vandal Motorsports to purchase the tube bender, and two break lights for their project.
“As someone who has a pretty good amount of experience in the mechanic and automotive world, they will not be able to grow and maybe even sustain themselves on a merely $200 budget … The tube bender would be nice, since it is a multi-year asset, however, for their specific growth they intend to achieve … $200 just will not cut it.” Said senator Will Dominguez, during debate on the bill.
Senator Domiguez counter amended the bill to $400, to avoid using the maximum. the amended amount passed, giving $400 to the Vandal Motorsports program.
Senate Bill F26-B06, allocating $1,500 to the Barker Trading Club, also received a finance committee recommendation. Due to high student reach through the estimated 70 students that participate in the club, the club’s flagship status in the College of Business, and its positive long-term relationship with ASUI, finance committee stated that $500 would be an acceptable amount allocated to the club. Sponsor of the bill, Senator Emilie Guardado, motioned to amend the bill to $600, in line with these judgements.
“As a mental reminder, of why we have to continue to cut down on these bills. Again, not as a statement that they are not deserving, I think they are incredibly deserving, the problem is that we just don’t have the funds to do that,” said senator Crow in discussion.
The amendment was countered, and the passed bill allocated $500 to the Barker Trading Club.
In solidarity of those who worked on the Katy Benoit safety awareness month, resolution F26-R05 was passed.
“I believe in the importance of community safety, raising awareness and empowering individuals … the Vandal Health Education and Violence Prevention and Education do a great job do a great job bring awareness of these topics,” said sponsor Senator Isaias Vera-Ramirez.
F26-B10, a bill to help fund a mid-term event for the International Students Organization was introduced and passed during this week’s senate meeting. The planned event, titled “Boba and Movies” will take place on Oct. 27 at 7:00pm to 10:00 pm at IPO Event Center, and they will be purchasing their tea, and bulk boba supplies from local vendor Phung-Mart.
During open forum, ISO secretary, Farhadul Islam Shanto, stated that to make the order at Phung-Mart, they would need the funding bill to be passed during this session. After discussion, the requested $300 was passed.
Bill F26-B07 allocating $500 to the Pre-Law society, Bill F26-B08 allocating $585 to Denny’s Club, and Bill F26-B09 allocating $750 to the National Society of Black Engineers were introduced at this meeting and have been sent to the finance committee for review.
Director of Legislative Affairs, Arman Khachatryan, during his monthly report, introduced a midterms candidate forum being held by ASUI on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. in the Whitewater/Clearwater room of the ISUB.
Miriam Moore, station manager for KUOI, the university’s radio station, spoke during public forum to re-kindle their relationship with ASUI, as well as see if KUOI could be played inside of the ISUB. Senator Leal and Vice President Alma Azocar Agurto stated that they will be in contact with KUOI.
Students interested in becoming an ASUI senator during the upcoming ASUI fall election should go to the ASUI Instagram page, on Monday, Oct. 26 to find application information.
ASUI Senate meets at 7 p.m. in the Whitewater/Clearwater room of the ISUB. Meetings are open to the public.
Josie Adjanohoun can be reached at [email protected]