Nearly $1.6 million was approved by the Student Association Senate on April 28.

Seventy-two student organizations and services gave presentations to the SA Finance Committee, which then made recommendations to the senate. The SA Senate has the power to amend and approve any organization’s budget.

In total, about $2.3 million was requested from the organizations. The $700,000 difference between haves and wants guaranteed that not every organization was going to receive the funding it requested.

One of the biggest cuts in funding was to the Campus Activities Board. According to documents obtained by the Northern Star from the Student Association, CAB received $381,293 from the SA in Fiscal Year 2006, $413,694 in Fiscal Year 2007 and $394,826 this past fiscal year.

This year saw a 42 percent drop in funding to the organization, which will receive $227,949 in Fiscal Year 2009. CAB requested $456,453.

Another noteworthy organization is Recreational Services. Treasurer Ricky Garcia has mentioned several times that the service is underfunded and “operating on a deficit.”

This year, Recreation Services will receive $326,966, a 71 percent increase in funding. However, the funding they received is roughly 75 percent of the total funding they requested this year.
Other organizations received cuts in funding, although not to the same extent as CAB.

At the April 28 senate meeting, Garcia said the committee did not allocate money for food. This, Garcia said, explained the 10 percent drop in funding to the Women’s Alliance.

With the exception of Forensics, Health Enhancement Services, the Student Association Administration and Campus Child Care, no student organization or service received all of the funding they requested.

However, when compared to funding last year, several student organizations saw increases. The Northern Black Choir received $20,000, a 26 percent increase from last year. The Commuter/Non-Traditional Student Association saw a 53 percent increase to $31,730.

Five student organizations received no funding at all. Those organizations were Communicative Disorders Student Association (COMDSA), Global and Local Organization to Better the Earth (G.L.O.B.E.), NIU Percussion Club, Public Health Student Association and Student Athletic Advisory Committee.

The first four organizations were not listed on budgets in years past; SA bylaws prevent funding to organizations until they have been on campus for a full academic year. Student Athletic Advisory Committee has existed for at least a year.

SA bylaws prevent the funding of any religious, political, pre-professional, Greek or restrictive membership organizations.

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