KSSG Releases New Guidelines for Student Organization Funding
Katie Connolly
Issue date: 5/18/06 Section: KSG News
- Page 1 of 1
The Kennedy School Student Government (KSSG) has announced a new funding regime for student-run events. Under the new system, student groups will no longer apply for funding each semester. Instead they will be asked to apply for funding for each specific event.
Student groups will be expected to apply for funding 4-6 weeks prior to each event. Ideally, each event will be fully funded, rather than groups receiving partial funding for all their semester's activities.
Yiawey Yeh (MPP2), KSSG Finance Vice President, believes the new system is a step in the right direction for KSSG financial accountability.
"Benefits include better accountability of tracking where KSSG funding goes with a post-event report required that tracks the actual expenditures and the number of people who participated in the event," he said.
KSSG grants can be used for a range of event related activities including food, advertising materials, travel and accommodation for speakers and facilities charges. The event does not have to take place on campus. However, donations and payments to speakers will not be funded.
Each application for funding will be assessed by the Finance Committee using a set of criteria including whether the event aligns with goals and mission of the student group, the size of event. The intention is to appeal to a broad range of students and accommodate for whether the events contribute to the KSG community.
Following the event, each group will be asked to submit a 1-page report that must include actual expenditures, receipts and attendance. Groups will be prevented from receiving funding for future events if they fail to submit this report.
The new system also allows for an appeals process if the student group disagrees with the ruling of the Finance Committee. Appeals will be considered at the subsequent meeting of KSSG, where a majority of members can overturn the decision.
Similarly, the Finance Committee will review overspending and make a recommendation to KSSG, which will be reviewed during the appeals process.
Jonathan Schleifer (MPP1), Electoral Politics Professional Interest Council (EPPIC) co-chair, welcomed the changes.
"The new system will mean that student groups can more easily plan their events around opportunities that arise during the semester" he said. "A more accountable system can only improve the quality of student run events. I just hope that the additional paperwork requirements do not become too cumbersome."
Yeh hopes that students will take some time to learn about the new funding process. "The earlier that students learn of the new system and have a chance to ask questions about it the better. We hope that more people will consider getting involved in KSSG financial management for next year," he concluded.
Student groups will be expected to apply for funding 4-6 weeks prior to each event. Ideally, each event will be fully funded, rather than groups receiving partial funding for all their semester's activities.
Yiawey Yeh (MPP2), KSSG Finance Vice President, believes the new system is a step in the right direction for KSSG financial accountability.
"Benefits include better accountability of tracking where KSSG funding goes with a post-event report required that tracks the actual expenditures and the number of people who participated in the event," he said.
KSSG grants can be used for a range of event related activities including food, advertising materials, travel and accommodation for speakers and facilities charges. The event does not have to take place on campus. However, donations and payments to speakers will not be funded.
Each application for funding will be assessed by the Finance Committee using a set of criteria including whether the event aligns with goals and mission of the student group, the size of event. The intention is to appeal to a broad range of students and accommodate for whether the events contribute to the KSG community.
Following the event, each group will be asked to submit a 1-page report that must include actual expenditures, receipts and attendance. Groups will be prevented from receiving funding for future events if they fail to submit this report.
The new system also allows for an appeals process if the student group disagrees with the ruling of the Finance Committee. Appeals will be considered at the subsequent meeting of KSSG, where a majority of members can overturn the decision.
Similarly, the Finance Committee will review overspending and make a recommendation to KSSG, which will be reviewed during the appeals process.
Jonathan Schleifer (MPP1), Electoral Politics Professional Interest Council (EPPIC) co-chair, welcomed the changes.
"The new system will mean that student groups can more easily plan their events around opportunities that arise during the semester" he said. "A more accountable system can only improve the quality of student run events. I just hope that the additional paperwork requirements do not become too cumbersome."
Yeh hopes that students will take some time to learn about the new funding process. "The earlier that students learn of the new system and have a chance to ask questions about it the better. We hope that more people will consider getting involved in KSSG financial management for next year," he concluded.
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