A student government committee approved a budget exemption for a Vets for Vets event hosted to raise awareness for sexual assaults in the military in an open forum Monday.
Daniel Nelson, a representative from the Vets for Vets program, addressed the Student Services Financial Committee of the Associated Students of Madison for a special order regarding a change in the organization’s budget.
According to Nelson, the club is screening the documentary “Invisible War” in an upcoming event.
The documentary, which details sexual assault that occurs within the military but often goes punishment when reported, will be screened for students on March 13, he said.
Nelson said he needed the committee’s approval of the use of its funds for the event because the it had not previously budgeted for them, adding since his request was within three weeks of the event, he needed approval for an exemption of the funds used.
“The money we will put forward to the event will just be for printing fliers to post around campus about the event, and we will be using money that has already been allocated to our printing budget for the fliers,” Nelson said.
The committee unanimously passed the request from Nelson, exempting the group from a penalty for use of the money.
SSFC Rep. David Vines said he agreed the budget change should be approved.
“Previously we have always approved requests like this, and they’ve gone without problem,” Vines said.
In addition to the approval of the budget alteration of Vets for Vets, SSFC also attended tours of the facilities of both Union South and Memorial Union to coincide with the Wisconsin Union’s request for additional segregated fees for maintenance of the facilities.
The Union requested increased segregated fees in a SSFC meeting last Thursday, asking for an increase in $228.48 per student per semester for Union-specific fees to address maintenance concerns.
Vice Chair Joe Vanden Avond said the committee will make a final decision on Wisconsin Union’s requested increase Thursday and will incorporate in its discussion what committee members saw at their tours of the facilities.
