Following months of debate, the Associated Students of Madison passed the General Student Services Fund eligibility criteria at its meeting Wednesday in what one student organization officer called a “crowning achievement.”

GSSF eligibility criteria approved

After debate on a bylaw amendment which was voted down, the criteria were passed with a vote of 32-0-1.

The new criteria aim to make the eligibility process easier for groups to navigate.

Over the course of the academic year, Student Services Finance Committee proposed bylaw changes that implemented a zero funding policy, reduced the period for reapplication from two years to one years and moved away from restrictive direct service language that requires groups to determine and prove that a majority of their services benefit students directly.

With the changes, groups can be denied funding if previous requests have not accurately reflected its needs or if they have changed significantly since originally being granted funding in a manner that violates criteria.

“I am really proud of the document we have come up with after seven months of work and I look forward to working with GSSF groups,” SSFC Chair David Vines said.

Vines said the timing of this legislation is important and the sooner GSSF leaders can begin training, the better.

Sean McNally, president of Badger Catholic, spoke on the importance of eligibility to GSSF groups and stressed the timing as well. GSSF groups struggle most with transitioning leadership, and therefore the criteria needs to be passed in a timely manner to start the training, he said.

Committee weighs Diversity Plan draft

Members also discussed a revised version of the Diversity Plan.

Rep. Hannah Kinsella and ASM Vice Chair Mia Akers outlined the three main differences of the revised plan: the addition of implementation process steps, the addition of an ethnic studies requirement and the change from a business rationale to a leadership rationale.

The revised plan will be available April 21. Representatives brought up concerns about the two-day turn around timing before they will have to vote. While this is not a lot of time, a decision will have to be made, Kinsella said.

“This is one of those situations where we really have to look out for students and be conscious of our student role,” Akers said.

Currently, members are looking to create more dialogue with the student body about the plan.

ASM approves changes to promotions disclaimer

ASM is also adding a second part to student organizations’ promotional materials as a part of their initiative raise awareness about ways ASM can provide assistance to students with disabilities.

Members voted on ways to revise the ASM disclaimer, used for marketing and advertising, in an effort to reach out to disabled students. The approved motion to amend the disclaimer adds a disability accommodations contact and suggested minor wording changes regarding neutrality.

“I can guarantee you we can get a lot more requests for help, help more students, make it clear there is a place you can go to seek accommodations,” ASM Chair David Gardner said.