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Printer-Friendly ModeExtra funds remain for student use in SA budget
February 8, 2010 —
Ask not what you can do for your Student Association, ask what your Student Association can do for you.
Although SA’s name is easily recognized on campus, many are puzzled when it comes to using its services. Since its budget comes from tuition payments, SA president Ryan Kanine says the association wants the money\ to be “used in the best interest of the students.”
“We are given 60 cents per credit hour for every student at SVSU,” Kanine said. “Assuming 10,000 students taking an average of 24 credits per year, this adds up to a budget of about $130,000.”
The most direct way students can get that money back is through allocations. Allocations and scholarships account for about $52,300 of the group’s budget.
Allocations are given to both registered student organizations and individual students. Students can apply for allocations to fund programs, conferences or other forms of academic enrichment.
“There are set guidelines,” Kanine said, “but a majority of allocations are passed.”
Forms are available online and in the SA office in Curtiss Hall.
Allocation Director Angela Grimaldi said the amount given is very individualized.
“Registered student organizations are eligible to receive 50 percent of expenses — up to $1,500 each year,” Grimaldi said. “Seven hundred and fifty dollars of which can be used to go to conferences or host banquets and formals.”
The remaining money can buy necessary equipment.
Besides distributing allocations, SA also offers 12 studyabroad scholarships and two Community Enrichment Scholarships. Kanine says they hope more students go for them.
“If they continue to become more competitive, we will be able to award larger amounts,” he said.
The Community Enrichment Scholarships are worth $1,000 each and are awarded each year to students that demonstrate outstanding dedication to community service. Two study abroad scholarships have been awarded this year, so 10 more are available, each for $600.
March 15 is the deadline to turn in Community Enrichment Scholarship applications and study abroad applications for the spring, summer and fall terms.
Student Association can help students in subtler ways as well.
“The easiest way to utilize Student Association is through blue books,” Kanine said, referring to the blank booklets used in some classes for written exams. SA began offering them for free to save students 50 cents per book.
The association also offers planners each year, and they are updating the Redpages, a small guide to activities in the area.
Student Association tries to spend most of their given budget for the year. But if they end a term with a positive balance, the money will spill over into next year’s account.