In order for an organization to present a budget over $250,000, the student group must first apply for the waiver and then have the waiver approved before proposing its final budget. Being granted the ability to apply for the waiver does not guarantee the organization will receive the proposed budget.

SSFC Representative Cale Plamann presented the waiver during the Monday night meeting. Consisting of two parts, the first section of the waiver mandates organizations list all new spending.

According to the language of the waiver, this spending must be essential to the group’s mission. If the new spending is part of the group’s mission (but not a core component), it must provide a direct service to the entire student body.

Plamann said the waiver was originated as a reaction to student organizations asking for high budgets in past budgetary cycles. 

“In the past, there have been groups with incredibly high budgets, and we were worried about this happening in the future,” Plamann said.

The $250,000 limit was chosen intentionally so as not to restrict any organizations currently receiving funding.

“We picked a number over the highest budget of any current group, so we wouldn’t be restricting anyone currently,” he said.

In the optional second portion of the waiver, student organizations are given the opportunity to go back and prioritize spending should their budget not be approved.

Representative Laura Checovich proposed the wording should be changed for student organizations to list their most important spending instead of least important.

The rewording was approved in a separate vote. Plamann added he plans to host training sessions for student organizations interested in completing the waiver.

SSFC also held eligibility hearings for the Understudies Improv group and Vets for Vets.

Michael Ashley, a representative for Understudies Improv, said the student organization puts on shows and workshops on campus in an effort to promote student interest in improvisational arts.

A key question from SSFC members concerned the group’s advertising method.

Checovich asked Ashley if funding from the committee would help with the improv group’s advertising efforts.

Ashley cited a recent instance when the group was able to draw a large crowd recently while performing at Union South, which initiated interest in expanding the group’s traditional advertising methods.

“Because of the crowd we drew through [Union South’s] advertising, I would say the love of improv is there. We’re just not connecting to as broad a base as we could be,” Ashley said.

Vets for Vets members presented their eligibility in a presentation emphasizing the four direct services the group provides and the group’s goal of reaching out to more non-veteran students.

SSFC members questioned how the group planned to better reach out to these student groups.

“We are not just focusing on student veterans, but also their peers as the learning environment is a two-way street,” said Vets for Vets spokesperson Steve Lee. “Our goal is to capture the awareness of the entire student body.”

Chair Sarah Neibart said the board would give the two organizations final decisions by Thursday.