UA budget allocates $30k to IFCV activities

For the first time, the Undergraduate Assembly said it would co-sponsor non-alcoholic Greek activities. The Undergraduate Assembly passed a 1998-99 budget totaling $1,021,492 -- including a $30,000 fund to cover InterFraternity Council events -- in its annual budget meeting last night. For the first time ever, the UA voted to allocate funds to the IFC, a prospect which the UA narrowly voted down at last year's meeting. The 1997 proposal would have placed $20,000 for IFC events into the UA's discretionary fund, under the stipulation that the IFC get UA approval before spending the money. This year, IFC President Josh Belinfante, a College junior, submitted a proposal asking that $40,000 be taken from the $474,919 appropriated to the Student Activities Council and given toward several non-alcoholic, campus-wide social events. The UA budget committee, however, denied the request for $40,000 in direct funding and proposed, as a compromise, to place $30,000 into a UA discretionary fund, which already contained $4,000. The UA overwhelmingly passed the motion, 18-5, with one abstention. Eight members were absent from the meeting. About 23 UA members are affiliated with the Greek community. After the UA last spring turned down the initial funding request, 22 Greeks ran in the UA election in March, with 20 winning seats. According to UA Chairperson Noah Bilenker, a College junior, it is unconstitutional for the UA to directly allocate funds to the IFC because it is not a "work group, committee or branch of student government." Additionally, UA Treasurer and College sophomore Bill Conway pointed out that the UA would be liable if the money was used for alcohol. By putting the money in a discretionary fund, the UA could co-sponsor and supervise the events. After Bilenker and Conway explained these rules, members of the UA and the other student government organizations debated the proposal, which faced stiff opposition from SAC members. "Forty thousand dollars would be a tremendous hit for SAC," said outgoing SAC Chairperson Steve Schorr, a Wharton senior. Several Greek officials pointed out that the IFC needs the money to compensate for the the prohibition against charging at fraternity parties. "We're trying to make up for the lack of social programs we see on campus," Belinfante said in reference to the decreased number of fraternity parties. He added that he was pleased with the final allocation. The proposed events, according to Belinfante, include a Greek weekend in March consisting of a blood drive and barbecue. The money would also go toward Greek Week barbecues and workshops in September and block parties, as well as other events. While the UA voted to increase the discretionary fund by $30,000, SAC will only lose $25,000 of its funding. The Student Committee on Undergraduate Education was able to cut its allocation by $5,000 -- moving from $37,500 to $32,500 -- which will also go to the IFC fund. Still, SAC officials expressed strong opposition to the decision to fund the IFC. "I think it is a really bad decision on the part of the UA," Schorr said. "[The Social Planning and Events Committee] gets $380,000 to provide non-alcoholic campus-wide events, [so there is] no need to give an additional $30,000 to the IFC." Other decisions made by the UA at the meeting included positive votes for contingency funds to be allocated to two of the class boards. Junior Class Board President Sarah Gleit requested $1,500 for a "Skimmer Day" party at boathouse row before Spring Fling. Freshman Class President Cam Winton requested $1,800 for a show in late March. Additionally, SPEC Chairperson Sean Steinmarc, a College senior, requested $30,000 in extra funding for a Spring Fling band, in addition to the organization's $379,865 allocation. This request was easily voted down by the UA after Conway explained that the UA already allocated SPEC more money this year than last year. The UA allocated $43,122 to cover its own operations and administrative costs -- which includes the $30,000 for the IFC fund -- and $18,516 in contingency funds to cover unexpected requests. The Nominations and Elections Committee will operate on a budget of $20,500 next year. The Senior Class Board received $22,395; the juniors $12,275; the sophomores $11,150; and the freshmen $6,250. The UA also allocated $25,000 toward New Student Orientation.