Wasinger receives report on use of student fees
The group responsible for funding campus organizations reported its spending for the past two years to UM system Board of Curators member David Wasinger on Monday.
Published April 11, 2006
The Organization Resource Group, which is responsible for funding campus organizations, reported its spending for the past two years to UM system Board of Curators member David Wasinger on Monday.
Wasinger requested the records after he criticized some spending by student groups at a board meeting in March.
On Monday, Wasinger said he asked for the records after receiving calls from students who were distressed about how student fees are spent.
"I had received some inquiries from students at different campuses toward the use of their student fees," Wasinger said. "Everything may turn out to be all right. We will just have to see."
Wasinger said he had not had a chance to look at the report and would be able to elaborate on his findings early next week.
Taylor McKinney, vice chairwoman of administration of ORG, said the report also included information about how the group chooses which student organizations receive funding.
"Curator Wasinger wanted basic information on honorariums from last year and this year," McKinney said. "We also basically turned in the amounts allocated and the amounts denied."
McKinney also included in the report several computer presentations outlining ORG's financial and administrative processes and a copy of the group's budget for the past two years.
ORG's budget comes from a $9.95-per-semester student activity fee. Student groups must apply to ORG to use money from the funds.
The report showed that for this school year, ORG — which does not include the Missouri Students Association, Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Association or sports clubs — allocated $108,184 for 69 guest speakers and performers.
Last week, Cathy Scroggs, the vice chancellor for student affairs, whose department oversees ORG, said student groups that were denied funding were refused because they were poorly organized, not because of the content of their proposed events.
Scroggs said she was not sure whether similar reports had been assembled before.
"From time to time, our department has been asked by legislators," Scroggs said. "It's information we have, but I can't say if we've accessed it before."
At the Rolla meeting, Wasinger singled out controversial artist Andres Serrano, who visited MU in October, as a questionable use of student fees.
ORG's report to Wasinger included the cost of Serrano's visit — $3,251 for his lecture about his artwork.
This past week, ORG also approved a new list of policies in regards to visiting performers and speakers, including a new list of questions for student organizations to answer before receiving funds.
McKinney said the policies were not related to Wasinger's request and were instated to ensure that student organizations do a thorough job of investigating their performers and speakers before receiving student funds.