CEA Funding for Student Organizations

Plymouth, N.H.-On Sunday, October 3, representatives from student organizations attended the Student Senate meeting to put forth their CEA funding requests. CEA is a process student organizations go through in order to receive money for activities, conferences, or events that they have planned. They are eligible to receive at most 50 percent of their cost, or $5,000, whichever is the lesser. Kris Quigley, Student Senate Finance Chair, helps the groups requesting funding prepare for their presentation. "I, and my committee, work hard with each group that comes with a request. We really want them to get the money for the conference, event or activity they have planned, and work hard with them to make sure that they feel prepared to go before the whole senate," states Quigley. In order to request funding the student group needs to meet with the funding committee and they need to have 25 percent of their funding deposited into their student activities account. From there, the groups go before the senate with a presentation on the break down of their budget and explain where the money is going to, how it will benefit the group, and how they plan to raise the rest of the money. The groups also give background information on their prior accomplishments as well as the goals they hope to achieve in the coming year. Peer Educators, an organization that promotes awareness on campus, was awarded $650 towards their funding. Most of the money they raise will pay for the National Peer Educators Conference in Chicago, which they hope to attend. The group feels the conference will provide them with new information they can share with the community. They have already raised money by creating calendars, that feature important campus dates as well as campus related pictures. Peer Educators will continue to rely on their profits to go towards their expenses this year. The Social Work Club, a group that focuses mostly on volunteer work, has planned a variety of events they will need help funding. Some of these events include a voting awareness booth, the third annual senior citizen's dance, and making spring baskets for the Voices Against Violence shelter. The club was awarded $450 towards their total costs. Choir Council was the final group present. Their group could not present however, as they did not meet the requirements held for CEA requests. The CEA Guidelines booklet states that "organizations must have fundraised or encumbered from their Student Senate allocated budget a minimum of 25 percent of the trip cost prior to submitting their CEA request to the Finance Committee" (P.1). Choir Council currently has $42,000 in their touring account; this did not count towards their 25 percent because the money was not deposited in their student activities account. During the senate meeting, Senate also voted to resolve funding issues that occurred last year. Letters were sent to three organizations stating an incorrect amount that was granted. The Geography Club was awarded $1,500 but their allocations letter said that they received $2,100, a difference of $600. The Social Work Club did not receive any money, but their letter said that they were given $400. It was voted that each group would receive the amount of the difference in order to smooth over the discrepancies. "Overall, I really enjoy working on the Student Senate as the Finance Chair. I get to meet with a lot of the organizations on campus and hear about what their group does, as well as the activity that they have planned for the CEA. We really try to do whatever that can so that they can receive their money," adds Quigley