F r o n t l i n e SAF: Three Lies in One? by Kelty Garbee As students at the University of Virginia, each of you pays a $32 Student Activities Fee (SAF) as part of your tuition. But what happens to those precious $32 after the tuition check is signed, and mom and dad kiss you and their money goodbye for another semester? First, the university sets aside a certain amount of this money for fixed expenditures, and the rest goes to Student Council. Next, about 250 groups, formally known as Contracted Independent Organizations (CIOs), vie for facilities and university allocated SAF funds. It is no surprise that with CIO status comes not only privileges, but also the problems of politics and funding. Any CIO that wants funding must present its budget to Student Council's Appropriations Committee, which, after deliberations, awards money based on the needs of each individual group. However, the allocations are often made without knowledge of how much the committee has to spend. Dean Kwon, Vice President for Organizations, described the process as "looking at each individual tree rather than the whole forest." In light of Student Council's announcement that there may be a 15 percent cut in funding for CIOs, it is surprising that Student Council does not take into account how much money will be available for allocation. Last week's announcement was based on a 21.89 percent increase in the number of organizations applying for funds, as well as a projected decrease in the number of organizations returning unused funds. Student Council is uncertain how much money will be returned and will not be sure until Thanksgiving, when the fall appropriations process is finished, but the announcement was made last week so that groups would be aware of possible shortages. In spite of the pressure created by the announcement that fewer groups may be returning unused funds, Kwon commented that "Student Council is glad that more groups are fully utilizing allocated funds." The projected shortage of funds may not have been an issue if the BOV had granted Student Council the $12 SAF increase requested last year. Nevertheless, in the only increase since 1989, the SAF was raised from $28 to $32 -- still one of the lowest student activities fees in the nation. While the $4 increase was a victory for last year's council, it is not enough to prevent shortages this year. As a result, many student groups may have to explore other methods of raising money. With the projected shortages in funds and possible budget cuts as ammunition, now is an opportune time to go before the BOV and argue for a raise in the SAF. According to comments made by Student Council President Sajeena Gevarghese, StudCo will again ask the Board of Visitors for an increase in the SAF. In the past, University Union has served as an avenue through which CIOs could receive additional funding. However, due to restructuring and new policies, U-Union will no longer be able to step in Robin Hood-style and offer money and co-sponsorship to smaller groups. U-Union is focusing its efforts toward events that appeal to the entire university rather than individual groups, but such an effort to expand its appeal may actually prove to limit U-Union's range of capabilities. Kwon pointed out that larger organizations such as Student Legal Services and Madison House will probably be most affected by the cut because of their sizable allocations. But these larger organizations also tend to be more self-reliant and may be able find help through other resources. Meanwhile, smaller and newly-formed CIOs, whose entire budget depends on Student Council funding, will suffer. Kwon said that "Student Council will put more effort into finding other sources for funds." But rather than depending solely on Student Council's allocations or looking to U-Union's financial backing and co-sponsorship, many CIOs will probably look for other means of support. By pooling resources and working together to co-sponsor activities, groups will not only save money, but also generate interest for one another. The Virginia Swing Orchestra is an example of a group that has had to creatively pool its resources due to problems with its CIO status. Last year, Orchestra director Austin Graham filled out the required paperwork, turned in two copies of the group's ten-year-old constitution, and signed a non-discrimination pledge in order to renew the Swing Orchestra's CIO status. Unbeknownst to Graham, the group was required to have a non-discrimination clause in its constitution in spite of the fact that he had already signed a pledge on behalf of the Orchestra. Because of the confusion, the group was turned down for CIO status and was not allowed to reserve rehearsal space on-Grounds. When the constitution was finally rewritten, the Virginia Swing Orchestra managed to procure a practice space in Lambeth lounge, but only after much bureaucratic chaos. So the next time you hear strains of music coming from the lounge in Lambeth, think of your 32 dollars. Without you, CIOs would get no financial backing from the university, and worst of all, Student Council would have nothing to do. As students, we need only think back to last year's unfinished construction or look ahead to the possible budget cuts for CIOs to see how politics and funding at the university go together like peas and carrots.

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