UA defeats proposal to fund IFC parties

The Undergraduate Assembly rejected an amendment to provide $20,000 to the InterFraternity Council for parties next fall by a 10-8 vote last night. Five members abstained from the vote, which was held at the annual budget meeting. UA Vice Chairperson and College junior Larry Kamin had described the failed resolution as a "commitment to a strong, inclusive on-campus social life." He proposed that the UA designate $20,000 for an escrow account to be used as "matching funds" if the fraternities are banned from charging admission to parties. The IFC, the University and Greek alumni would have to raise the remaining $55,000 to $70,000 -- quoted by former IFC president Josh Gottheimer as the amount needed for administering a semester's worth of parties -- by October 31. But following a suggestion by College sophomore and IFC Secretary Noah Bilenker, the amendment was changed to reflect the IFC's year-long monetary needs of between $160,000 and $180,000. UA Chairperson and College junior Tal Golomb assured members that the amendment was constitutional, saying that it established a "co-sponsorship" allowing the UA to oversee the process as it developed. "Our funds have to do with non-alcoholic components," he said. "I don't think the UA, or even the University, could be sued if the policy is BYOB and 21 to drink." But Wharton junior and UA Treasurer Steve Schorr recommended against the amendment because the money would be taken out of the Student Activities Council's budget. SAC had been set to receive $70,000 more than last year, but that was to compensate for a $50,000 decrease from the 1995-96 budget. Schorr noted that Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta had said there are other possibilities for next year's fraternity parties. And IFC President and College junior Matt Baker added that "the Greek Card is always a possibility." The Alpha Chi Rho brother said that while Kamin's proposal was "generous and a nice thought," the $20,000 would not really help the IFC, which he estimates would require approximately $200,000 for the parties. Kamin had expressed concern that the Penn's social life could become more exclusive -- like the "way it is at Dartmouth." And College freshman Matt Chait added that the UA would be "singlehandedly changing Penn's reputation" as a school with academic and social "balance" if it denied the funds. Baker said he is fairly confident that the IFC and University administration will produce funds to support parties in the fall, and hadn't expected the resolution to pass. But he added that if agreements fail, while his "constituents are not excited about making this campus invite-only," the IFC has to "protect [its] own first and foremost." The UA also allocated more than $1 million to other student government branches. The UA itself received $28,330, while the Nominations and Elections Committee received $16,454, the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education received $27,000, the Social Planning and Events Committee received $369,485 and the Student Activities Council was given the remaining $472,041. Each class board set its own budget, unlike in previous years when they were required to prepare a budget for the incoming board. Three of the class boards accepted their budgets as set by the UA. Only the rising seniors appealed, requesting and receiving an additional $3,000 for four class study breaks that had previously been denied. SPEC, under the leadership of UA Treasurer and Wharton senior Gil Beverly, also appealed its budget, noting that the suggested 15 percent contingency fund used for unforeseen circumstances would not be sufficient to cover such circumstances. SPEC received a 20 percent contingency fund last year. "We made our budget expecting the 20 percent," Beverly said. "And we almost always use the contingency, so the UA should have notified SPEC before they cut our contingency." Schorr defended the budget committee's decision, noting that Connaissance -- the organization responsible for bringing speakers to campus -- was now included in SPEC's budget, which it previously had not been. "Everyone knows Connaissance is a slush fund anyway," Schorr said to the amazement of many. The debate concluded with UA members voting to increase SPEC's budget to include the 20 percent contingency.