In its final meeting before swearing in a new group of student representatives, the Undergraduate Senate approved its 2023-2024 academic year budget including allocations for USG operations, pass-through commitments and registered student organizations (RSOs). President Abigail McAdams also revealed a new University Statements website.
The primary focus of the Tuesday meeting was a vote on the 2023-2024 academic year budget. Finance Committee Chair and Junior Senator, Scarlett Remer, confirmed the overall student activity balance is expected to stand at $1,066,000 — the same for this past academic year. Senator Remer noted significant allocation changes for club sports, registered student organizations (RSOs), the DU Clarion, the USG Diversity Committee, and the USG Sustainability Committee.
After reviewing the proposed allocations, senators first questioned the finance committee’s decision to increase the club sports allocation by $15,000, going from $185,000 to $200,000. Ritchie School Senator Savannah Palmer addressed the inquiry by highlighting the significant increase in student dues for club sports since the pandemic. The increase in dues, Senator Palmer argued, is a considerable deterrent or burden for many. Natural Science Senator Mitchell Thompson added that many clubs have had to double their fees to afford gear, tournament fees and travel since 2020.
Also contributing to the discussion was Natural Science Senator MJ Hyde. Citing a constituent’s story about the Women’s Club Hockey Team having to change in hallways due to a lack of facilities, Senator Hyde stated the increase in funds would not directly address these inequities but could spur future change in support of women’s club sports.
The Finance Committee then faced questions regarding the decrease in funds for both the Diversity Committee (DIVCOM) and Sustainability Committee (SUSCOM), which are part of USG. DIVCOM Chair and Diversity & Excellence Senator Rika Ruiz simply stated their committee had not used all funds allocated for this past year. In conversations with the Finance Committee, Senator Ruiz and DIVCOM decided on the $5,000 decrease, bringing funds down to $95,000.
In a similar manner, Sustainability Chair and Sophomore Senator Rachel Bienstock indicated the primary recipient of SUSCOM funds is the Center for Sustainability. With recent leadership rollover as a result of the pandemic, the Center only spent one-third of this year’s allocations. While Senator Beinstock indicated an increase in funds will likely be necessary for the future, the short-term decrease of $20,000 reflects the lighter footprint of Center activities across campus.
Most discussion was spent on the $40,000 increase in allocations for Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). The decision would increase RSO general funds from $180,000 to $220,000. President McAdams started the discussion by recognizing student frustrations as this past year’s USG decision to no longer fund travel for student groups inhibited teams like Model United Nations and Mock Trial from competing at national conferences.
Following this year’s travel fund shake-up, CAHSS Senator Kenna Stephens stated the Finance Committee wanted to restructure base allocations to consolidate travel funds into RSO general budgets. In essence, student groups will receive base allocations as per usual at the start of the year based on historic spending trends. These base allocations will now, however, provide more funds to offset travel costs upfront. RSO leadership will then be able to decide how to spend their base allocations for flights, accommodations and conference fees, thus minimizing supplemental USG funding requests.
Both Freshman Senator Dylan Lindsay and Korbel Senator Chris Crosby questioned whether supplemental funding will be available to student groups which require it. Senators Thompson and Remer clarified the process will still be available, but argued the justification for increasing RSO base allocations is to hopefully avoid continuous requests.
Funding allocations for Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL), DU Emergency Medical Services, Campus Groups (Crimson Connect) and USG Chair Payrolls remained the same. The DU Programming Board received a $10,000 increase. The DU Clarion had a $1,600 increase, amounting to a $21,000 budget in hopes of returning to print editions. The Collegiate Readership Program, which includes student subscriptions to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Denver Post, had a $3,200 increase. USG Operations and Elections had a $2,500 decrease.
The Senate voted in near unanimous support of the legislation with 23 yeas, 1 abstention, and 0 nays.
