In a move that leaves the rejected eligibilities of the Student Labor Center and the UW Infoshop in the dust, the Student Services Finance Committee recently granted eligibility to two organizations, the Student Leadership Program and the Tenant Resource Center.
The Student Leadership Program aims to promote leadership education and skills to the student body through speakers, conferences, workshops, trainers and expansion of several of its programs.
Considering the results of previous SSFC meetings, senior Angela Pelnar of SLP knew the outcome of the vote would be in the air. She said she sees this eligibility as a stepping-stone for the organization.
“When it comes down to it, we’re trying to improve the quality and visibility of our programs and service,” Pelnar said.
Before voting, Recreation Sports representative Ryan Nichols questioned the necessity of another leadership organization on campus, but SLP pointed out that other programs, such as the Emerging Leaders Program and ALPS, are more exclusive than SLP.
SLP was granted eligibility with a vote of nine to zero, with one abstaining.
The Tenant Resource Center, which promotes positive relations between rental-house residents and providers, was also approved for eligibility with a 10 to 0 vote.
“All decisions we’ve been making are based on the criteria, not personal feelings,” ASM Student Council representative Drew Horn said.
Horn also added that neither of these cases were as controversial as some past cases, especially those of last week.
In addition to making these grants, the SSFC heard proposals for eligibility from four student groups — the Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow; the Indigenous Law Students’ Association; Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment; and the State-Langdon Neighborhood Association.
None of the groups have previously received funding from the SSFC.
Each group was given 10 minutes to explain the merits of its organization and why the members feel they deserve eligibility.
Group representatives were then bombarded with questions from the SSFC board.
Collegians For a Constructive Tomorrow representatives said the group promotes participation in environmental issues through student activism and consumer and economic issues. If granted eligibility, group members hope to create an internship program, host lectures and visit innovative facilities that are environmental friendly, among other activities.
Group members anticipate that such endeavors will give students new options and perspectives on issues they will face in the future.
“People will have a large set of tools to make their decisions,” one CFACT representative said.
The main focus of the hearing centered on the debate over how CFACT was an independent, unique commodity and whether or not its predisposed ideologies constricted other issues that active students deemed important.
Indigenous Law Students’ Association, if deemed eligible, hopes to expand its outreach on campus and throughout the entire state. It also would send delegates to various conferences that enable further education on Native American and law issues.
After the ILSA presentation, SSFC focused in on how ILSA services would improve and connect to all UW students.
Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment serves as a vehicle of support for survivors of sexual assault and aims to give such victims empowerment through educational meetings.
In an effort to boost its credibility, a PAVE representative stated, “PAVE is special because it comes from the student perspective.”
The last group to attest to its eligibility was the State-Langdon Neighborhood Association, whose mission is to help students become active in issues involving not only neighboring communities, but also the greater Madison area.
SSFC will reveal its eligibility decisions at its meeting tonight.
