Within the last week, students have been able to make their own loaded teas and customize spray painted hats — all without paying a dime. But are these events really free?
The answer is no. Some may recall seeing a charge on their bursar for the Student Activity Fee, which helps fund many events put on by registered student organizations.
Every student enrolled full time at UM supports the SAF account by contributing two dollars per credit hour in their tuition. The initial SAF charge was a flat rate of five dollars per person, but this was deemed insufficient to fund all of the student organizations.
At the end of the 2021-2022 school year, after a sweeping campaign from that year’s ASB Treasurer Alex Mabry, students voted to change the way they contribute to the SAF in what is now the current system.
Teal Salloum, a senior accountancy major and ASB treasurer, played an important role in boosting the SAF.
“I was one of the three authors of the bill that initiated the change of this flat rate of five dollars to the two dollars per credit hour structure we use now, which has had great success,” Salloum said.
With the highest student enrollment ever this year, the SAF account is at an all–time high. The Treasury Department’s net revenue for the SAF account this semester is almost $500,000.
“About 50% of the $500,000 we have in the fund for this semester has been allocated, so we are right on target to use the full amount through the end of the semester. However, if we have any remaining funds, they will be swept into the 25-account for next semester’s Student Activity Fee,” Salloum said.
A 25-account is a specific funding account set up through the university instead of keeping funds in a traditional bank account. Salloum feels that the SAF fund is extremely beneficial to students, and he encourages all RSOs to take advantage of this resource.
“With these increased funds available, we are encouraging all registered student organizations to apply for funding,” Salloum said. “The SAF is a great resource for all student organizations to be able to host events, foster a strong community, purchase materials and much more.”
Over 500 student organizations are eligible for funding this semester. There are five different categories of funding: open events, closed events, promotional material, operational expense and professional development. Organizations may also request funding for large scale events, which are events that are open to all students with at least one hundred in attendance.
“With the wide variety of items that we are able to fund, we strongly urge RSOs to reach out if they wish to utilize the funds,” Salloum said.
To be approved for SAF funding, an RSO must first attend a funding orientation. The dates for funding orientations are available on ASB’s website.
After attending Funding Orientation an RSO can submit a funding request through the ForUM. The Treasury Department meets every Monday to review the previous week’s requests, and RSOs will be notified whether or not they are approved either Tuesday or Wednesday.
“These funding requests are reviewed on a rolling basis, so there is never a bad time to apply for funding,” Salloum said. “However, we recommend applying for funding at least two weeks prior to needing the money.”
The Student Activities Association is one RSO that has already received SAF funding. The organization received roughly $100,000 of their requested $146,800 rto host campus-wide events like Welcome Week, Homecoming Week, Hotty Toddy Holidays, Rebel Run, Fall Fest and other scheduled events.
Daneel Konnar, a senior public policy leadership major, serves as the executive director for SAA. Konnar is grateful that the SAF is available to both SAA and other organizations.
“Undoubtedly, we are thankful for how the SAF supports our programming on our growing campus,” Konnar said.
With SAF funding, SAA has been able to continue offering both traditional and new events around campus.
“The SAF allows the organization to continue these signature events and create many programming opportunities for our entire campus community,” Konnar said.
Endia Thomas, a sophomore allied health studies major, feels that events such as the ones at Welcome Week provide a great way to meet new people.
“It was nice to come back to campus with this type of fun,” Thomas said. “It gave me a chance to meet different people. I met new freshmen on campus. It was a great first week experience.”
The SAF also allows for SAA events to be more diverse and accessible to the whole student body.
“With SAF funding we are able to create and plan a variety of events that cater to every student’s interests,” Konnar said. “Funding also determines how we are able to bring large-scale events and activities for students to enjoy, and it can also influence the number of events we hold on a weekly and monthly basis.”
