2008 Woodie Awards
Coalition of organizations to challenge AcFee distribution
Ella Wilhoit
Issue date: 2/20/07 Section: News/Features
Although AcFee funds have traditionally been denied to student organizations deemed political, a newly formed coalition of these previously unfunded groups is challenging this policy.
Each year, Vanderbilt students are charged roughly $820.00 for the University's "recreation and activities fees." This money feeds a variety of campus endeavors, including the well-known student finance board, AcFee. AcFee distributes funding among various campus organizations, such as newspapers, musical groups and intramural sports teams.
Unfortunately for some, current AcFee policy is to deny funding to organizations it considers political. More specifically, the Student Organizational Handbook states that any group declared by the student finance committee to have political or religious affiliations may be ineligible for university funding. At present, 13 such groups exist on campus, keeping themselves afloat through fundraising and donations. These include Vanderbilt College Democrats, Amnesty International, STAND and others.
Although many of these organizations do not see their missions as politically motivated, their yearly applications to AcFee are repeatedly denied. This is particularly frustrating for members of these organizations in light of the fact that those members are paying activities fees from which their groups are unable to benefit.
These groups have joined together in the past month to form the Advocacy Council - a unified body which will apply for AcFee funds as a single unit (full disclosure: I'm Amnesty International's representative to the Council). The Council, which certainly can have no direct political bent due to the variety of its member organizations, will rely on a board composed of one representative from each member group to distribute funds fairly. The board will allot money when needed for special events and will retain a system of checks and balances, including an appeals process to ensure fair funding for all.
The Council is currently in transition as they attempt to register with the university in time to apply for AcFee funds. The groups involved have thus far drawn up a constitution, and are in the process of working out the budget which would cover their diverse needs. This week the Council will meet to finalize the budget and finish the registration process. They will then apply directly to the student finance committee. Although it remains to be seen whether the Advocacy Council will be successful in their bid for collective funding, many of the member organizations' leaders are optimistic.
Organizations seeking AcFee as Advocacy
Council members:
Vanderbilt Republicans
Vanderbilt Libertarians
Vanderbilt Democrats
Students for Life
Amnesty International
'Dores for Israel
Vanderbilt Feminists
STAND
Democracy Matters
Global Health Council
Free the Children/Free the Slaves
Each year, Vanderbilt students are charged roughly $820.00 for the University's "recreation and activities fees." This money feeds a variety of campus endeavors, including the well-known student finance board, AcFee. AcFee distributes funding among various campus organizations, such as newspapers, musical groups and intramural sports teams.
Unfortunately for some, current AcFee policy is to deny funding to organizations it considers political. More specifically, the Student Organizational Handbook states that any group declared by the student finance committee to have political or religious affiliations may be ineligible for university funding. At present, 13 such groups exist on campus, keeping themselves afloat through fundraising and donations. These include Vanderbilt College Democrats, Amnesty International, STAND and others.
Although many of these organizations do not see their missions as politically motivated, their yearly applications to AcFee are repeatedly denied. This is particularly frustrating for members of these organizations in light of the fact that those members are paying activities fees from which their groups are unable to benefit.
These groups have joined together in the past month to form the Advocacy Council - a unified body which will apply for AcFee funds as a single unit (full disclosure: I'm Amnesty International's representative to the Council). The Council, which certainly can have no direct political bent due to the variety of its member organizations, will rely on a board composed of one representative from each member group to distribute funds fairly. The board will allot money when needed for special events and will retain a system of checks and balances, including an appeals process to ensure fair funding for all.
The Council is currently in transition as they attempt to register with the university in time to apply for AcFee funds. The groups involved have thus far drawn up a constitution, and are in the process of working out the budget which would cover their diverse needs. This week the Council will meet to finalize the budget and finish the registration process. They will then apply directly to the student finance committee. Although it remains to be seen whether the Advocacy Council will be successful in their bid for collective funding, many of the member organizations' leaders are optimistic.
Organizations seeking AcFee as Advocacy
Council members:
Vanderbilt Republicans
Vanderbilt Libertarians
Vanderbilt Democrats
Students for Life
Amnesty International
'Dores for Israel
Vanderbilt Feminists
STAND
Democracy Matters
Global Health Council
Free the Children/Free the Slaves
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