SAC denies funding for IAA

Club raised more than 200 percent of SAC grant last year on it's own The Student Activities Council voted to deny funding for the International Affairs Association at the body's first meeting of the year Monday night. The decision to refuse funding to the IAA, which originally requested $9,805, was made on a recommendation by the body's executive committee. The body overruled an appeal of the recommendation by IAA President Yousef Master, an Engineering senior. The SAC Executive Committee based its decision on a rule passed last year that groups raising more than 200 percent of their SAC allocation are ineligible for money. According to Undergraduate Assembly Treasurer Steve Schorr -- who sits on SAC's Executive Committee -- the IAA raised $81,000 last year, more than 200 percent of its $23,000 in SAC funding. The IAA makes most of its money by hosting high school and college Model United Nations conferences, said Schorr, a Wharton junior. As a result of fund raising violations, the IAA received only 4 percent of its original budget request last spring. IAA funding has been controversial since the UA initiated the first of four audits against the group last year for alleged misuse of funds. After the IAA agreed to transfer $1,200 to SAC, the group was exonerated by the final audit. And Monday night, the IAA almost did not even have a chance to appeal to the full body for funding. Originally, SAC had voted to accept all of the Executive Committee's recommendations without hearing any appeals. Master protested the decision, saying he should have the opportunity to appeal for funds. As a result, the body agreed to hear Master's request. In his appeal, Master asked for $7,281, noting that the money was only a fraction of the amount the IAA had received from SAC in the past. Master said profit, rather than total revenue, should determine eligibility for SAC funding. After expenses of $38,000 last year, the IAA made a profit of $43,000, less than 200 percent of its SAC grant, according to Schorr. Master noted that the IAA needs SAC money to attend Model United Nations conferences at Yale and Georgetown universities. "The harder we work, the less money we get," he said. SAC Vice Chairperson Allison O'Brien, a College senior, spoke on behalf of the SAC Executive Committee in response to Master's appeal. She explained that since the IAA's total revenue was above the 200 percent threshold -- but its profit was not -- the committee had to make a judgement call. "Since the total revenue was way over and the profit was just under, we decided they had enough money to maintain the group," she explained. "We didn't want to take money away from other organizations." In an overwhelming majority, the body voiced its agreement with O'Brien's assessment. Master made a second appeal for $1, but withdrew the request before it came to a vote. The SAC Executive Committee recommended allocating $21,945 of the $30,332 that makes up its contingency fund for the fall semester. Groups originally requested a total of $114,847. During Monday's meeting, SAC elected three representatives to the Executive Committee. The new members of the committee are: College junior Judy Kawaguchi of Penn Singers; College senior Max Barry of the Sports Club Council; and College senior Michael Lam of Teach West Philadelphia.