Student groups need to use system for money
If you were walking down the street and someone were handing out free money would you take it?
We certainly would.
But apparently more than two thirds of USC’s student organizations wouldn’t.
Of the 300 registered student organizations on campus, only 92 requested (and only 70 received) funding from Student Government’s financial allocations.
While these numbers are an uptick from last year’s, they’re still pretty pathetic.
If student organizations want to have funding for their various events and programs, the burden is on them to request it through the online system SG has in place.
However, with so few organizations requesting money, we have to wonder if SG is doing enough to advertise and make sure all student groups that are eligible to receive money know how to ask for it.
Once funds have been requested, the amount of money SG allocates to each organization should reflect the impact each has on the university.
For example, Mortar Board is set to receive the highest amount as a loan of $20,000. This is understandable — it has the responsibility of producing planners for the entire student body. And the money is a loan; it’s eventually paid back to the university.
However, if the bill passes, USC’s Clay Club could receive a steep sum of $2,084. Yes, clay can get expensive. But how many students are actually involved in the Clay Club?
SG should make sure all student groups know how to request the money. At that point the responsibility is on the organizations to actually submit their requests. Then, SG should make sure it allocates funds responsibly, reflecting the interests of the majority of students, not just a select few.