The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) completed its allocation of funds generated by the student activity fee by slashing requests from 62 organizations in a closed executive session last Tuesday.

The meeting was open until the allocation of the remaining $200,000 was to be made. At that time, the Clarion and other observers were asked to leave.  The motion for executive session was suggested by Carl Johnson, director of Student Life and adviser to USG. He explained that a frank exchange of views on the various requests could only  be exchanged in a closed session.

Two hours later, the open meeting resumed and the Senate came to vote on the allocations.

For the 2010-2011 academic year, the total amount of money from the student activity fee to be allocated by the USG was $950,000. At the first budget meeting on April 6, the 18 senators allocated $754,000 for the student organizations that benefit all students, such as DUPB.

At the last meeting they allocated $163,000 to the remaining organizations for select student groups.

USG Senate President Antoine Perretta said the senators went into executive session to allow for senators to advocate for or against certain organizations.

Chair of the Finance Committee, Natasha Kiemnec, said she would not comment until the final resolution is passed following appeals at tonight’s meeting.

Thirty organizations received their full requests at Tuesday’s meeting.

The organizations receiving the largest funds were the Residence Hall Association, which was allocated $18,000; D.U.G.S. which was allocated $10,000; University of Denver Debate Team which was allocated $8,000; Black Student Alliance, which was allocated $7,000, and the Undergraduate Women’s Council, which was allocated $7,000.

Those whose requests were slashed numbered 32 groups. In the minutes that circulated following the meeting, the following organizations had their requests slashed. The top five are:

• University of Denver Debate team requested $32,000 and was allocated $8,000.
• The Residence Hall Association requested $25,550 and was allocated $18,000.
• Black Student Alliance requested $12,500 and was allocated $7,000.
• Queer Straight Alliance requested $10,000 and was allocated $5,000.
• Chabad requested $7,570 and was allocated $4,000.

The full list of allocations is available at DUClarion.com. The USG meets tonight at 6 p.m. in the Driscoll Gallery to discuss the final resolution and hear and decide on appeals.

Appeals were due April 16.