Members of student government listened to members of student organizations speak in open forum as well as approve internal forms in a meeting Thursday night.
The Student Services Finance Committee listened to two representatives from on-campus student organizations looking to be funded by the committee, one being Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group.
Matt Kozlowski, the outgoing chair of WISPIRG, spoke on the relevance of the group and its mission.
“WISPIRG is a statewide directed group, and it is our mission to fight issues dealing with public interest,” Kozlowski said.
Kozlowski said one project the organization is working on is protecting Madison’s lakes because raw sewage and manure are being dumped into them.
He reminded the body the group is currently struggling with its budget and it needs its professional staff.
“We are struggling with budget and with no budget; we don’t have a professional staff. WISPIRG will not be able to last then,” Kozlowski said.
A member of Greater University Tutoring Service also spoke to members of SSFC.
Co-Director Elu Tu requested funding go toward promotional products to hand out to the upcoming freshman class during Student Orientation, Advising and Registration this summer.
Such promotional products include pens, which Tu promised will say “Funded in part by ASM,” as required.
SSFC Rep. Ron Crandall also spoke about the idea of SSFC information and documents going completely online in future sessions to promote transparency.
“We need a complete revamp and to go online. This way we will have better accountability with GSSF [General Student Services Fund] groups and be able to see student card transactions, et cetera,” Crandall said.
In addition, Rep. David Vines volunteered to be a representative on the Student Transportation Board in the fall.
After the body approved some forms to be used for interactions with student organizations looking to be funded, SSFC chair Ellie Bruecker told the rest of the committee it will likely meet Monday and Thursday nights this fall.
Upcoming SSFC meetings will be held June 6, July 20 and Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Memorial Union, Bruecker said.
