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ASUA seeks to ease appropriation confusion

By Ty Young
Arizona Daily Wildcat,
December 3, 1999
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Responding to club-funding criticism by various UA student organizations, ASUA Club Advocate Scott Lavit has developed a pamphlet designed to define and exemplify proper appropriation requests.

Lavit, one of eight club advocates appointed by Ben Graff, Associated Students of the University of Arizona executive vice president, told the ASUA Senate Wednesday night the new packet will address some of the difficulties that have hindered funding requests from clubs.

"We have some problems - I'd say in the beginning of the semester, with clubs not knowing how to properly make a funding request," he said. "This packet will be used as a guide for clubs in the future.

The pamphlet, referred to as the "Lavit Packet" by the ASUA Senate, lists a number of rules for proper funding requests.

"Some clubs did not get the funding that they asked for, or at the time they wanted it, because they did not present a complete request form," he said.

Graff said the Lavit Packet will make the appropriations process easier for all parties involved.

"What this will provide is a step-by-step guide to all the processes of club funding," he said. "It's purpose is to make things easier for clubs and the Appropriations Board."

Graff said the packet is a needed tool for clubs to understand the actual process involved in funding requests.

Upon ASUA Senate approval, the packet will be issued to all clubs. However, Lavit has already allowed some clubs to use it.

Appropriations Board member Sara Ransom said that she has seen a noticeable difference in clubs who have already referred to the Lavit Packet prior to drawing up their requests.

"There really is a difference," she said. "They know realistically what they should appropriately ask for. It will make it easier for us and them to understand what a reasonable request is."

Ransom also said the Lavit Packet will answer many club questions before they are asked.

"This year clubs have come up and asked for money but were disappointed because their request is written out incorrectly," she said. "They leave out the amount of registered students and the mission statement. Just little things like that can add weeks to the decision."

Lavit said the pamphlet is also an attempt to create better communication between clubs and the club advocates, which in the past had been confused.

Ransom said the packet will help eliminate problems such as the denied funding request by Camp Wildcat earlier this semester. The club was granted $330.80 initially, but said the amount was not appropriate for their event.

"It clarifies that we can't fund philanthropy and politically motivated events," she said. "I think it will brace them for the blow. That is the message we really want to get out."

The Appropriations Board ruled that Camp Wildcat was not entitled to additional funding because of their status as a philanthropy club. According to Arizona state law, it is illegal for state funded university's to allocate money to philanthropic organizations.

Ransom said the Camp Wildcat decision was not indicative of the feeling of the Appropriations Board, especially because funding is allocated on a case-by-case basis.

"I don't want to discourage clubs like Camp Wildcat and Habitat for Humanity from coming forward and asking for funding," she said. "I'm very happy to fund clubs like that, but they must fall under the correct guidelines."

Lavit said he is working with the ASUA Senate and Appropriations Board in order to finalize the packet. Although he presented the pamphlet to the Senate on Wednesday, it must first be approved in order to go into effect.


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