Friday, February 22, 2008

February 7, 14 & 21, 2008 Meetings

1. Applications for Recognition

The Committee has decided to recommend recognition of the following new organizations:

Ancient Studies Club (funded, Academic/Departmental)
Disciples on Campus (funded, Religion/Spirituality)
Basketball Club (limited funding, Sports/Recreation)

The Committee also received and reviewed applications from the Yoga Club, Artist Connection Community, Get Up! and Unite for Sight, all of which have been sent back to the organizations for revisions.

2. Revocation of Recognition

The Committee has decided to recommend revocation of Alpha Phi Alpha’s recognition for failure to maintain a membership of at least five UMBC students.

3. Constitution Change

The Committee approved a change in the Air Force ROTC Constitution eliminating certain categories from its nondiscrimination clause. As a result of the change, Air Force ROTC has been reclassified as a “limited funding” organization (i.e., eligible for SGA funding only for events directed at the entire campus community).

The UMBC Mama’s Boys also submitted a request for a Constitution change, and the Committee requested additional modifications.

4. Enforcement of SGA’s Free Admission Policy

SGA Vice President for Student Organizations Chris Najmi is working with the Finance Board and the Scheduling and Business Services offices to develop ways of notifying students and event staff about admission charge restrictions placed on specific events by SGA. Typically, the restriction is that when SGA has allocated funds to pay for the full cost of an event, UMBC students must be admitted free of charge.

5. Stale Student Organization Accounts

The Committee developed a plan for ensuring that once student organizations have lost UMBC recognition, their accounts are managed in a manner consistent with SGA’s Budgetary Policy (they’re frozen immediately; former organization members can appeal to SGA for access to the funds; after two years, they roll into SGA’s General Ledger). The Business Services Center is reviewing the Committee’s plan.

6. Meeting with Athletics Department

Next Tuesday, February 26th, the Committee will meet with representatives from the Athletics Department to try to clear up ambiguities in the recognition process for Sports Clubs.