Allocations Board
The Allocations Board is a semi-autonomous body of RSG, consisting of the RSG Treasurer, who serves as Chair, and Board Members elected at-large to serve one-year terms. The RSG President serves as an ex-officio member of the Allocations Board.
The Board has two goals: to allocate the Student Activity Fund efficiently, and to support the best possible extracurricular activities for students. During closed hearings each fall and spring, student organizations may request funding by presenting budget proposals.
Allocations decisions are based on the Allocations Board By-laws and Procedures (.doc) in conjunction with the interests of the student body. The Board prepares the final budget for the allocation of the Student Activity Fund and submits it to the RSG Senate for review and approval.
Currently, the Allocations Board By-laws are being considered for revision by the Allocations Board, Treasurer, Student Organization Relations Committee, and an ad hoc Senate committee. The revision process was brought about for a number of reasons. The following article was drafted by the Revision Committee:
"At the end of 2006-2007 fiscal year, the discretionary fund had a surplus of fifty thousand dollars. Allocated funds have a specific purpose and are allocated with preciseness and careful consideration. To have a large sum of money disposed and wasted towards a cause other than what the Allocations Board had allocated it for is frustrating and careless. This situation is heightened and elevated by the fact that organizations often complain of under-funding. Therefore, the Rhodes Student Government, in effort to combat inefficient budgeting, formed a committee to investigate and address surpluses of student groups on campus. The following problems were found:
1. Over- Projection of budgets
2. An inefficient process of allocating money
3. Minimal self-accountability among groups
4. Principle change
5. Minimal flexibility and choice within organizations
Beginning in November 2007, this committee met with representatives from student groups to discuss flaws in the Allocations process. This committee has met repeatedly and incorporated the input from student groups, BanMar, and administrative advice. It is our goal to enact the following:
1. An increase in student organization responsibility of funds by eliminating Budget Expense Reports and fifty dollar limits for transfer of money.
2. Simplify regulations and penalties.
3. 95/75 Surplus/Penalty policy to decrease surplus and increase accuracy in proposed budget reports. This penalty will also be applicable to those Student Organizations who are receiving Earmarked funding. Please see Article VIII for further details.
4. The division of Fall and Spring Allocations, being that Fall funding will be allocated in the Spring, while Spring funding will be allocated in the Fall. After the earmarked organizations have received their predetermined allocation budget, the entire discretionary fund will be divided evenly between the two semesters
5. The decrease in the Student Government budget to allow for more allocated money to student organizations.
A revision of the By-Laws is necessary in order to produce fiscal responsibility and simplify the allocations process for student organizations, the Rhodes Student Government and the Allocations Board. The Allocations By-Laws committee agrees that these are the best possible solutions to the given problems; however, Student Organizations will also have the opportunity to voice their opinion and make suggested changes before the final draft is voted upon. Being that the By-Laws are still under review, the Allocations Board and Rhodes Student Government will vote on these changes before they are enacted."
