By Peter Baugher
Staff Writer
Franciscan University Student Government (FUSG) passed a budget bill for twenty student clubs and organizations during its meeting on Wednesday, April 5.
In the weeks prior to Wednesday’s meeting, club leaders had been working with their Student Government representatives, the FUSG Budget Committee and the rest of Student Government to create a budget capable of funding all twenty-one of the organizations, plus Student Government itself.
Student Government allocated $8,620 for itself, along with a $1,000 print budget.
The Outdoors Club received the largest budget of the student clubs at $2,670, followed by Juventutem with $2,250 and the Veritas Society with $2,230. Students for Life received the next highest amount, at $950.
Students for Life had requested the highest amount: $4,400. Juventutem requested the next highest amount at $4,250, followed by the Outdoors Club, which requested $2,970.
The Knitting Nook asked for and received the lowest amount of money, receiving its entire requested budget of $75. The Music Discovery Club received the next lowest budget, receiving its request of $150 dollars, with the Irish Dance Club the third lowest, receiving its request of $210.
The total requested funds across all organizations, including student government and a print budget, totaled $24,838.00. The twenty-one student clubs requested $1,060 on average and received an average budget of $734.67.
FUSG’s adviser David Schmiesing commended FUSG on their “behind the scenes work” to finalize the budget.
In addition to the club budget, senators passed a bill allocating $5,400 to help fund Grad Week on May 9 and 10. The funds will cover costs for food, fireworks and axe-throwing.
According to the bill, Excite will cover the cost of alcohol for the festivities, while Student Life will provide $8,000 for other necessities.
The bill estimates a total budget of $13,000 for the entire event.
Student Government then passed Spring Bill 28, allocating $600 to the RENEW Core Team to cover the cost of a speaker for an event on April 24.
FUSG also considered passing a bill to help fund the Harmonium Project, an organization attempting to revitalize Steubenville’s downtown, but the bill was tabled until next week’s meeting due to a low contingency.
In closing comments, President Jared Johnson said he will bring back Student Government on the Hill to keep students informed about Student Government’s actions.