ASUA encouraging clubs to place funding requests

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat "I do support it because I believe something needs to be done about the way people are being treated simply because of their race. If that's what it takes then I would support it." Kevin Shaughnessy, Financing senior

"There are some clubs that did well," said Chantelle Brewer, Spring Fling director. "For ones that didn't, it may cause them to go to the Appropriations Board."

The Associated Students Appropriations Board, which offers money to campus clubs and organizations, should be able to accommodate an influx of funding requests, said ASUA Sen. Emily Dunn, a board member.

Rainstorms forced Spring Fling directors to cancel two days of the four-day event - cutting profits in half and disappointing club organizers who counted on making money.

"I'm not at all pleased with how the clubs did," Brewer said. "I feel so sorry for all of them...it will probably force them to do more fundraising next year."

Spring Fling raised about $85,000 last year for UA clubs and organizations, and ASUA made a $28,000 profit. Numbers for this year's event have not been completely finalized, but are expected to be lower, Brewer said.

"We're hoping that the clubs have alternative funding," Dunn said. "I wouldn't be surprised to see an increase."

Clubs generally ask ASUA to help them fund special events and conferences, she said.

"We do appropriations on a case-by-case basis," Dunn said. "We do the best we can to help them out."

ASUA's Appropriations Board had a $6,500 balance before last Monday's meeting, she added, and the board allocates about $1,500 to $2,500 each week using revenue from the UA Associated Students Bookstore.

Members of several clubs, however, said they will pursue alternatives to petitioning ASUA.

Jon Chow, Chain Gang Junior Honorary president, said his club uses Spring Fling profits as supplemental income and probably won't utilize appropriations board funds.

"It (the Spring Fling booth) definitely made less than we expected," Chow said. "We always treat Spring Fling as funds for next year."

The Asian American Cultural Association, which has used ASUA funds in the past, won't do so in this case, said club treasurer Alice Yu.

The group operated a food booth at Spring Fling and hoped to use the money for general club costs, but Yu said they will look into other fundraising options.

"We didn't do too well," Yu said. "They (other officers) said we would have to have a pretty big event to go to the Appropriations Board."

Yu said her organization is looking into getting a refund for the booth's costs.

Cisco Aguilar, ASUA executive vice president, said he encourages clubs to ask the Associated Students for funding.

"I would hope to see more clubs, but it's also the end of the year," Aguilar said.