The Contraband

Issue date: 12/7/09 Section: News

Media Credit: The Contraband The Student Government Association allots money to organizations on campus every year [Click to enlarge]

Every year the student senate is allotted a certain amount of money to disperse amongst the student organizations through appropriation bills written by the senator of the organization. After a bill is submitted it is submitted to the finance budget committee (FBC) which is a comprised of appointed senators by the senate chair. Then FBC reviews the bill and submits what it believes is a suitable amount of money the organization should receive. Example being, if an organization is asking for $1000 FBC may only recommend $500 depending on each set situation.

Organizations are required to submit what the bill is for, who it would effect, what percentage of the bill is covering and past bills that requested for money. This is to ensure that the money is being used to best and possible means to serve the student body at McNeese. Each bill is reviews by FBC without the restrictions of previous bills or future bills, thereby being reviewed as if it is the only bill of the year. However, what FBC recommends is only that, a recommendation. The student body then on the appropriate amount of money that should be given, weather it be lower then FBC's recommendation the amount asked by the organization or even more than asked, the decision is strictly up to the power of democracy via the student senate.

The money that can be allocated through appropriation bills is not designed to be a lifeline for organizations, rather a small stepping-stone. Many organizations have treated the money received as a loan, and actually returned money after the organization picked up, though this is not required or asked from the Student Government Association (SGA).

The majority of the bills submitted this semester were all in accordance with the best wishes and the majority of the organization senators were grateful for the amount and the senate would agree and the bill passed. However, a bill submitted by the Future Farmers of America association on McNeese caused quite a bit of discussion during the Wednesday meetings in Baker Auditorium. FBC had recommended that FFA be given zero dollars, when the organization had asked for over $6,000 for six students to attend a conference in Indianapolis. The trip was labeled mandatory for the association, this putting a much graver urgency on the funds. The senate however rarely passes any bills larger then $3000 because other organizations are just in much need of the funds.

The senate fought back and forth saying the organization could adjust the money being requested and resubmit the bill so that the opportunity would still be present. Unfortunately, the bill passed with zero being awarded due to the date for the trip being before the date the bill could be given a second look.

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