I appreciate everybody’s concerns. In response to the allegations made by Kappamerc, let me indulge you with an interesting little tidbit of information: The first time this $600 per event figure arose was with your president’s forum post. Had your organization presented these 400 other dollars and provided the funding sources for this other amount, the Finance Committee might have processed your request a bit differently. Also, as stated before, by communicating with the proper individuals, the representatives of your organization might have been able to provide this information.
At the beginning of this semester, the SGA Finance Committee hosted three training sessions at different dates and times on how to properly submit supplemental funding requests on that “crappy website,” Catamount Connections. These meetings were advertised through Catamount Connections and MyCat. If your organization was unable to attend, there were several people you could have approached who would have happily assisted you in submitting the requests complete with all of the relevant information. There were several e-mailed communications between Shane Baker and the Finance Committee for the first request. However, the review process for these was postponed because the University Center had never billed the Gaming Club. Thus, it was the joint decision of the Finance Committee and Mr. Baker to postpone the request, wait and see if the club would be charged for the second one, and proceed accordingly. Upon receiving the UC Invoice, Mr. Baker once again submitted the supplemental funding request for $200. However, no e-mailed communication transpired the second time because the Finance Committee was informed by Ms. Shawna Hipps that Shane would be appearing before the Finance Committee at Monday’s meeting. When Mr. Baker or another representative of the Gaming Club failed to appear before the committee and answer its questions, the Finance Committee proceeded in its decision-making based on information provided from the initial emails. In these, Shane detailed that the organization does not have a membership fee but instead charges a player fee for participation in its events which is used to “help pay for the prizes and various other activities of the club (mainly website-related).” There was no indication that the Gaming Club would be contributing to the cost of the Grand Room rental, which was the stated reason for the initial request. I apologize for any confusion, but prizes are an optional expenditure–not one vital to the success of the event and not one for which SGA funds may be used (as stated in the Finance bylaws). Again, to clarify and to settle any remaining confusion, the reason the request for the Grand Room rental was denied is because the Gaming Club was allocating its monies towards luxury purchases before attempting to cover its own costs. If this is incongruent with the truth, then Gaming Club representatives should have been present at the Finance meeting on Monday night, which was an emergency meeting called for the sole purpose of having Mr. Baker attend–as was informed he would be by Shawna Hipps–in order to clarify any remaining points of confusion.
In response to the question, “If the SGA has funded ‘thousands of dollars to our organization in the past then, why is $200 suddenly a problem?” I would like to begin by asking what isn’t the problem? I apologize that the Finance Committee suddenly asks for an organization to be a bit more financially independent. In my experience with the SGA, most organizations that have received SGA funding have been able to take those funds and use them to establish a base from which they are able to grow those funds and increase their income. But when an organization submits a request for $200 and the full details are “This is for the upcoming LAN event on Dec. 8th,” many questions arise: What exactly are the monies being used for? What other sources are they receiving funds from? What has the group already done to attempt to alleviate the costs? Every other organization that has received funding this semester has demonstrated significant fundraising campaigns; the first and only mention of a fundraiser by the Gaming Club has been that which resulted in a $90 loss by the president. Where have the thousands of dollars the SGA has granted you in the past gone to? From my perspective, you have an organization full of committed and deeply involved members that encourages a sense of community through gaming but, at the same time, it is an organization that, year after year, requests funds and, in the past, has unquestionably received these funds. Your club has grown content–something which should never happen. I implore the Gaming Club to unite in light of this situation and ensure the quality and finances of its operations. Again, I offer my sincerest condolences for you and your fellow members’ frustrations; however, I doubt they compare to the frustrations of the Finance Committee members when their unscheduled meeting was called on the first day of exams under the understanding a representative of the WCU Gaming Club would be present in order to answer their inquiries (which would have resolved this whole situation), and no one showed up.
You are not being treated like a “red-headed stepchild,” Kappamerc, and I certainly don’t think SGA members–who are also intelligent, come from different backgrounds, committed to their academics, concerned with student issues, and greatly involved–appreciate being treated as such either. No matter what, I would recommend you treat your SGA representatives as fellow students, many of which are devote massive quantities of their valuable time to participate in SGA, with the utmost courtesy and respect. Oftentimes the process is frustrating, and I wholeheartedly agree that the current executive administration consists of, for lack of a better term, a bunch of slackasses. But apart from the president and his executive staff, the Senate is doing good things: Were any members of your organization displeased with your academic advising experience? The Senate recently passed a resolution calling for reform and review of advising and advisors. The Senate is looking to install protected shelters for major CatTran stops. Also, considerations for the addition of an A+ to the grading scale are in the works. It upsets me that the occasional hiccup between the SGA and student organizations with good intentions sours the reputation of the SGA. Hopefully the Gaming Club and the SGA can proceed past this upsetting situation and work with continued positive relations in the future.
***Since I began writing this post, several others have provided accolades for my previous response. I cannot thank you enough for keeping an open mind and considering all sides of this issue before drawing conclusions. If you have any other questions, please ask. As for now, I have a huge exam tomorrow morning and I have procrastinated studying enough already. I will check in tomorrow afternoon and offer any additional insight that I can, or direct you to the proper individuals who can answer your questions. I wish everybody the best of luck on their own exams and a nice, relaxing Christmas break.
***Mr. Griffith, I have just now seen your response but I honestly cannot spend any more time on this tonight. Look back later tomorrow for further answers. I am trying to help you guys but I ask that you please be patient because I have a whole lot going on besides this matter. Thank you for your understanding.