Appropriations
Click here for the Spring 2013 Senate Appropriations application
Each year, the Senate Financial Directors Committee distributes $10,000 to registered student organizations. These organizations are also eligible to apply for printing allocations on Senate’s copier. Any organization registered with the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development (SALD) is eligible to apply.
Appropriations applications will be released before the start of the new semester. Applications will be accepted in two phases, defined as a two week period during which the application is received. The application asks for a description of the applicant organization, a description of the event for which funds are requested, how the funds would be budgeted and used, the total budget for the event and how this event will benefit UT students.
Letter from the Senate of College Councils’ Financial Director
Dear student leaders,
Each semester, the Senate of College Councils distributes funds to Registered Student Organizations here at the university. Throughout the years we have funded a wide range of organizations, and an even wider range of programs and events. We encourage all interested organizations to apply.
The Senate of College Councils makes funding decisions with the following principles in mind:
1. Senate seeks to maximize the benefit to current UT students
2. Senate seeks to encourage new and original ideas
3. Senate gives preference to well planned events
4. Senate gives equal consideration to all respectful ideas
The application consists of an electronic form, and a mandatory interview. Before applying, please review the following rules:
1. Senate will not reimburse any individual or organization
2. Senate is prohibited from purchasing food, alcohol, flowers, greeting cards, travel expenses, off-campus rentals and conference fees
3. Organizations must be registered with Student Activities and Leadership Development
The application form may be downloaded as a Word document above. Please read all of the instructions, and be sure to answer all questions. Incomplete applications and applications without a budget will not be reviewed. Applications should be submitted as Word documents to senateappropriationsspring2013@gmail.com. You may also email this address at any time if you have questions about the application, process or interview.
Senate is not able to fund every group’s request. Only the strongest applications will be granted a mandatory interview. Please plan to interview at least 2 weeks in advance of your event to allow time for purchases to be made. One or more members from your organization may attend the interview, but it does not have to be the person who submits the application. There are two interview sessions, each with its own application deadline. When the application is turned in will determine which session the application is considered for. Both sessions are identical.
Round 1
Application deadline: Sunday, January 27th by 5 p.m.
Interview date: Thursday, January 31st
Round 2
Application deadline: Sunday, February 10th by 5 p.m.
Interview Date: Thursday, February 14th
The success of organizations on campus is a credit to the university. Senate is proud to assist in students’ accomplishments through these appropriations. We appreciate your interest, and look forward to receiving your application.
Best Regards,
Kendra Loftice
Senate of College Councils
Financial Director
lofticek09@yahoo.com
Appropriations Process
Once an application is submitted, it is reviewed by the Senate Financial Director. Only complete and appropriate applications will be considered. Organizations meeting these minimum criteria will then be contacted to schedule a mandatory interview time. Interviews occur every-other Thursday, alternating Senate General Assembly meetings. Interviews last approximately six minutes. Loosely, the first minute is a verbal description of the applicant organization, the next two minutes are a description of the event and the remaining time is devoted to answering questions from the committee. Council FD’s are expected to be familiar with each application before the interview. The Senate of College Councils’ mission is to represent and serve all students. Thus interviews are meant to be serious, but not intimidating.
Once all the interviews have been completed, the Financial Directors debate the merits of each application. Key factors that are considered are the maximization of the efficiency with which the funds are used and the positive impact potential on the University. Typically, not every organization receives funding. Those that do are given relatively equal amounts. The decision is made by a simple majority vote. The Senate Financial director leads discussion and debate, however only casts the deciding vote in the event of a tie.
Once a consensus has been reached the role of the council FD is finished. From there, the Senate FD informs organizations of the outcome of their application and oversees the distribution and use of the funds. Organizations have until the end of the semester to use their funds. Organizations that do not use their funds, once appropriated, may be ineligible to apply in the next appropriations cycle.