The Student Senate approved the creation of the Monetary Agreement Taskforce on October 8, as well as a new allocation process for student organizations.
Co-chairs Gene Martin and Ezra Dalton head the Monetary taskforce, which will incluce representatives from the Clock, PACE and WPCR. They will look into the uses of bartering agreements, stipends, and monetary gifts in student organizations.
“The purpose of this is to help make university organizations work better and be more mindful of their cash,” Martin said. The system in use now was approved in 2005.
The taskforce will look into the use of stipends in student run organizations, and see how they affect the students involved. They will also decide if other organizations should have stipend options.
Bartering agreements are another topic, with some arguing that the use of barter agreements takes money away from the organization. Sodexho has a bartering agreement with some organizations, offering flex cash to students involved in turn for ads.
Monetary gifts to organizations are not necessarily cash gifts, but are more often merchandise. The money is given to the organization, but it may be distributed to students. There is no guarantee that students who receive merchandise, such as a sweatshirt from an organization will remain an active member. If a student leaves, so does the monetary gift and it will no longer be affiliated with the organization. The question is: is it fair for allocated money to be used for students?
Allocations for student organizations at PSU are currently paid for through mandatory student fees. Monies are granted to organizations in February. Many organizations lose their allocated funds at the end of the year
The allocation process currently in use is also facing some changes. Previously, any recognized student organization could request an allocation and have it granted as long as they met with senate, and presented a budget.
The new allocation process will not work in this manner, monies will not automatically be granted to organizations that ask for it. Student Organizations will need to fill out an allocation request packet. They will also be required to meet with the allocations committee several times.
There will be allocation advising sessions on October 23 & 24 from
8:30-10p.m. in HUB 119. This will be an informational meeting about the spring allocation process. It is suggested that organizations RSVP to the event by October 19 by emailing Ezra Dalton, Chair of the Allocations Committee at exdalton@plymouth.edu.