Council proposes changes in funding process

In an attempt to simplify the funding process for student groups, the Student Life Commission is proposing a total restructuring of the board that currently controls these funds.

The Student Life Commission, which is made up of Student Council members and the presidents and vice presidents of each class, will propose the new system to the Student Council Finance Committee, which must then approve it.

"The Finance Committee has been discussing the benefits of a block funding-based system since the beginning of the year," Finance Committee Chair Joshua Loveall said.

Loveall explained the main complication of a block-funding system is it can be difficult to administer retroactively if funding was appropriate.

He also expressed a desire for block funding to be discussed in general Council meetings and noted in the "limited setting of the Student Life Commission." He added he has heard nothing of Student Life's specific proposal.

The new "block-funding" system would eliminate a "class-funding" system, give all groups money at the start of each year, and provide contingency funds through a group-category system.

"The major point is to make groups work together," said junior Justine Mink, vice president of the Student Life Commission. "The problem is there has been little cooperation among the groups."

The Student Life Commission will recommend this system to the Finance Committee before budgeting decisions are made next month. The Finance Committee will then be permitted to consider and then approve the reformation.

"The way the senators on Finance vote will depend on how the StuLife Commission's proposal implements the system. We agree that funding policy needs to change, but will not vote blindly for change that doesn't actually improve the way funding works for the administrators and students involved," Loveall said.

The money allocated to the Student Activities Commission (SAC) - the board that currently doles out money - would be handed over to a new funding board that would give it to student groups in blocks.

The new system would have student groups relocate 15 percent of their funding into a contingency account, which would contain money groups may need to fund events or programs that may arise over the course of the year and that have not been accounted for in the annual budget.

Each of the eight groups' categories would set up councils that control a portion of their contingency account.

"This will encourage a better allocation of money," president of Student Council Scott Bierbryer said. As president, Bierbryer sits on the Student Life Commission and on the SAC executive board.

The Student Life Commission believes a category controlled contingency fund would promote groups of the same category to work together to spend their money more efficiently.

Instead of applying to the SAC, groups would appeal to a council of similar groups to receive unplanned funds.

The hope is for groups to consolidate potentially similar events and programs to improve turnout and decrease overall expenses.

Sports groups already function on a similar system. The success of this system was the inspiration for this proposed restructuring, according to Mink.

Jeffrey Orthober, treasurer of the JHU band, said this new system would have benefits for his student group.

"It would be easier, definitely. Each year, we have to explain we need new timpani mallets to a board that doesn't know what timpani mallets are," he said. Orthober felt a performing arts council would be more understanding of the band's particular needs and be more willing to provide them with contingency funds for things like mallets, reeds and instrument repairs.

The institution of categorized councils would eliminate the need for category liaisons to the funding board, according to Austin Nelson, treasurer of Student Council and chairman of the SAC executive board. Currently, there are eight liaisons to the board, who serve as advocates for the groups of their categories.

Two current liaisons declined to comment.

The new funding committee, which would replace the SAC, would be an elected board, though the details of its membership still need to be decided.

"It could come from Student Council senators, the committee of finance, we don't know," Nelson said.

The new board would provide all recognized student groups with block funding. Currently, there are two classes of SAC groups. Class-A groups receive a block fund at the start of the academic year based on their annual budgets. These groups may also apply for contingency funds as the year progresses. Class-B groups do not draw up an annual budget and are funded by appeals for contingency money. The new system would effectively make all groups Class-A groups.

"Instead of funding groups in a detailed way, there will be a block funding method," Bierbryer said. "Groups will no longer need to come in every week and apply for funding."

Under the proposed system, Class-A groups would receive annual funding as usual, while Class-B groups would receive funding based on their spending histories.

The new committee would average these groups' funds from the past three years and provide an equivalent block.

"The only real reason a group is Class-B is because it doesn't submit an annual budget," Nelson said.

Nelson said this method of historical funding means groups that do not submit budgets will receive the money they have typically required without the hassle of appealing to the SAC board on a weekly basis.

"Block funding doesn't mean groups need to change," he said.

Bierbryer hopes this model would simplify the funding process.

As it stands, if a group applies for contingency funds and chooses to relocate those funds, they must reapply with the SAC.

"If, for example, a speaker cancels and your group wants to bring a different speaker, you have to resubmit your funding application. It's three hours of paperwork," Bierbryer said.

Under the proposed model, groups would no longer need to apply for funding on a weekly basis, but nor would they be limited to their blocks or contingency funds.

Nelson said the funding board would likely be open to appeals for greater block funds if a group proves its historical spending does not reflect its current needs.

Both Bierbryer and Nelson said reforming the system would give groups more freedom in their spending.

"We researched this new system in the fall, and we are still researching," Bierbryer said.

"We will be surveying all the student groups to make sure this is in their best interests. We want to do what is best for the student groups."

"A lot of this still needs to be worked out," Nelson said.

Susan Boswell, dean of student life, recommended the student council bring in a consultant to assist them in restructuring the funding model.

"If this is approved, we will be refining the system over the summer," Bierbryer said.