At its meeting Tuesday night, the undergraduate student government allocated about half of its remaining $152,000 surplus funds to finance council member initiatives.
Councilmembers distributed about $78,500, leaving about $73,500 for some Undergraduate Students Association Council funding resources meant to support student groups.
Funding for some student group resources will be cut by more than 30 percent because of the council’s allocations, said Cynthia Jasso, USAC Finance Committee chair.
The surplus amount is money carried over from one year’s council to the next and is calculated every November. Last year’s surplus was about $384,000.
The previous council created an endowment with $100,000 of its surplus, partially decreasing this year’s surplus. USAC established the endowment with the UCLA Foundation and receives 5 percent of the endowment back for USAC program funds each year.
The council approved, at least in part, all four of the following surplus request proposals after asking for more time during the last USAC meeting of fall quarter.
The surplus funds are set to go toward the University Students Association Programming Fund, the Capital Contingency Fund and the Contingency Fund, following a specific formula laid out in the USAC bylaws.
Jasso said she thinks USAC needs to look for ways to find sustainable funding, instead of relying on surplus.
UCLA safety application
Internal Vice President Avi Oved and Student Wellness Commissioner Savannah Badalich
Initial request: $25,000
Funds received: $15,500
USAC allocated funds for the development of a safety app specific to UCLA with a 10-0-2 vote with abstained votes from Oved and Badalich. The app requires a one-time fee of $20,000 to customize it for the UCLA community, Oved said. The other $5,000 initially requested was meant to cover data collection costs.
At the meeting, councilmembers discussed how successful the app would be and the administration’s role in the app’s development and promotion.
Jack Benny and Spencer Tracy Awards
Campus Events Commissioner Jessica Kim
Initial request: $7,000
Funds received: $4,000
USAC allocated funds for an event that hosts accomplished dramatic actors or comedians as guest speakers with a 11-0-1 vote. Kim said she would decrease her original request because she wanted to save money for funds supported by leftover surplus.
United States Student Association registration fees
External Vice President Maryssa Hall
Initial request: $14,000
Funds received: $14,000
USAC allocated funds to cover registration fees for the United States Student Association, an organization that advocates on behalf of students. The money is set to cover the cost of membership fees, allowing select UCLA students to attend the workshops offered by the United States Student Association. The funding was approved with a 11-0-1 vote.
The 28th annual UCLA Jazz Reggae Festival
Cultural Affairs Commissioner Jessica Trumble
Initial request: $45,000
Funds received: $40,000
In a 11-0-1 vote, USAC allocated funds for the Jazz Reggae Festival, the largest student-run music festival in the nation that is held at UCLA in the spring. The event requires $500,000 to run, but USAC will be listed as a major sponsor. The festival typically receives about $50,000 in surplus funds.
Compiled by Jasmine Aquino, Bruin contributor.