Spring Break
SAFAC: Where does our money go?
James Breen
Issue date: 5/16/08 Section: Ed-Op
This was the first year my organization was eligible to receive funding from SAFAC, which was very exciting. We received our annual allocation, and I was more than happy with the amount awarded. This was money that we never had before, and it will benefit our members as well as the Drexel community. I was one of many who attended the information session, filled out a slew of information regarding our organization's finances and needs, and waited like a child on Christmas morning to hear back as to the status of my organization's application.
Last week, I picked up my copy of The Triangle and read that a complete allocation list could be found on The Triangle's web site. After opening up the web site, I was very surprised. Drexel Equestrians received more than $32,000, and Women's Ice Hockey over $22,000.
I would hope that no organizations take personal offense in my writing this commentary, but I am merely pointing out this absurdity. Neither I, nor any Drexel student, should be one to put a value on an organization, but I began thinking about how these organizations affect campus and student life.
I, for one, would hope that students seeking continual growth in their organization would receive the same amount as the next organization.
The Lexerd is a yearbook for the entire student body, which has been around for more than a half a century. With its historic nature, it was awarded a little over $59,000.
Yet at the same time, the Drexel Equestrians, an organization with 19 members, receives over $32,000. I understand the fact that we all filled out the same applications and had the same opportunities, but I think we need to re-evaluate how these funds can be distributed. Even if the yearbook is only valued by the senior class, wouldn't that money have much more of an effect on, say, the 2,000 students that read the Lexerd?
In Joseph Gonzalez's May 9 letter to the editor, he wrote, "groups who met with their SAFAC liaisons tended to fare better than those who did not." I'm not really quite sure why meeting with our liaisons was so imperative - to persuade them to agree that my organization is better than others?
Last week, I picked up my copy of The Triangle and read that a complete allocation list could be found on The Triangle's web site. After opening up the web site, I was very surprised. Drexel Equestrians received more than $32,000, and Women's Ice Hockey over $22,000.
I would hope that no organizations take personal offense in my writing this commentary, but I am merely pointing out this absurdity. Neither I, nor any Drexel student, should be one to put a value on an organization, but I began thinking about how these organizations affect campus and student life.
I, for one, would hope that students seeking continual growth in their organization would receive the same amount as the next organization.
The Lexerd is a yearbook for the entire student body, which has been around for more than a half a century. With its historic nature, it was awarded a little over $59,000.
Yet at the same time, the Drexel Equestrians, an organization with 19 members, receives over $32,000. I understand the fact that we all filled out the same applications and had the same opportunities, but I think we need to re-evaluate how these funds can be distributed. Even if the yearbook is only valued by the senior class, wouldn't that money have much more of an effect on, say, the 2,000 students that read the Lexerd?
In Joseph Gonzalez's May 9 letter to the editor, he wrote, "groups who met with their SAFAC liaisons tended to fare better than those who did not." I'm not really quite sure why meeting with our liaisons was so imperative - to persuade them to agree that my organization is better than others?
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Luke
posted 5/16/08 @ 12:07 PM EST
Everyone fills out the same application and funds are distributed based on necessity.
So let's the equestrian team told SAFAC that they need $50,000, and received $32,000, However, if the Lexerd put in that they need $5000 and received $2000, then the ratio of requested:allotted is pretty much the same. (Continued…)
Jim
posted 5/16/08 @ 2:22 PM EST
I actually gave this article a lot of thought. We're not living like communist, where all money should be split according to percentages.
I'm sure when lobbying for money from the University; a department doesn't apply for $35 Million dollars, knowing that they'll get 50% of this. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 5/16/08 @ 2:41 PM EST
I just feel that it is kind of rediculous that 125 dollars of every student paying tiwission is going to clubs like the Drexel Equestrian club. Those clubs have not held one event that has been open to the community of Drexel. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 5/16/08 @ 4:54 PM EST
My bad $150 dollars go to this funding.
Rob
posted 5/17/08 @ 9:15 AM EST
This article perfectly captures the problem with the SAFAC allocation: necessity of cost is taken into account more than the number of students served at the University. (Continued…)
Chris
posted 5/17/08 @ 2:41 PM EST
Jim is brilliant!
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