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Chair Matt Manes introduces SSFC

After approving six student organizations for funding eligibility for the 2011-2012 fiscal year and denying three, the student government will switch gears next week when they begin the budget approval process.

Starting Oct. 25, Student Services Finance Committee will begin hearing budget proposals from the organizations that were granted eligibility.

Of the three organizations that were denied funding by SSFC, Wisconsin Student Public Interest Research Group and Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow are appealing the decision to the Student Judiciary Committee, according to Manes.

Manes said Badger Aviators, the third organization that was denied funding, has not expressed any interest in the appeals process.

WISPIRG, who received $128,378 for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, was denied funding because the committee felt University of Wisconsin students were not the primary beneficiaries of the organization’s programs.

In WISPIRG’s funding eligibility application they listed their direct service as the forum they provide students in which they can become politically active and engaged, according to Manes.

“Creating a ‘forum’ is far too abstract, it isn’t specific and it’s not identifiable,” Manes said.

According to WISPIRG Chair Rashi Mangalick, the organization feels they are being unfairly punished for working on issues that not only affect the UW student body, but also people across the city, state and nation.

“We focus on the campus, but we also work on issues that will affect other people. So by benefiting too many people we’re not eligible to receive the funding,” Mangalick said. “Kind of a weird criteria they have that is punishing us for being affective.”

Wisconsin Student Lobby, an organization that, like WISPIRG, advocates for student interests was approved for funding by SSFC.

Mangalick said it does not make sense that WSL was approved and WISPIRG was not, since both organizations offer similar services that provide students with training and an opportunity to be politically involved.

However, Manes said WSL advocates issues that specifically and solely affect UW students while WISPIRG’s campaigns, like high-speed rail, affect people at the state and national level.

However, WSL was approved for funding because of other direct service programs they provide the campus, according to Manes.

If denied in the appeals process, WISPIRG will have to turn to other sources for funding, Mangalick said.

“We can still definitely be student-run and we can still apply for grants and things like that, but that’s something we will have to eventually figure out,” Mangalick said.

Manes admitted the funding process is very complicated and bureaucratic and that it is difficult for organizations to apply for funding when they might not even understand how SSFC goes about their decision-making process.

“We recognize the difficulties on everybody’s side and this is something that we are working to address this year,” Manes said. “We’ve heard everybody’s frustrated with the system and it’s time to reflect that student wish to actually start reforming the system in a comprehensive way.”

Manes said he will be presenting a proposal to SSFC next week on how he believes the committee should address and correct flaws in the funding process.