Student Group Fund Will Offer Extra $25,000

At two seminars last night in Boylston Hall, more than 100 student leaders were among the first to hear about the creation of a new $25,000 fund for student organizations.

The seminars covered financial management and alcohol at events sponsored by student organizations.

According to Coordinator of Student Activities Susan T. Cooke, the new Student Activities Fund will support large-scale purchases by student organizations.

Applications for the funds will be available this month and in February.

The Dean of Student's Office has also agreed to a one-year trial policy of granting organizations lump-sum checks at the start of the year, instead of reimbursing separate purchases, Cooke said.

Student leaders were enthusiastic about the additional funding.

"The new Activities Fund is great, because the purpose of a student group isn't supposed to be worrying where the next check is coming from," said Xunhua Wong '01, co-business director of the Harvard-Radcliffe Ballet Company.

Wong also said the new reimbursement policy would save a lot of time for student groups.

"Last year, our treasurer had lots of trouble with reimbursement," she said. "It took up a lot of time in menial tasks."

According to Cooke, recent studies have ranked Harvard behind Brown, Cornell and Columbia Universities in providing funding for undergraduate organizations.

"I'm not sure whether the ranking is correct," Cooke said, "but we're trying to rectify the situation."

"It's about time," said Michael M. Espiritu '01, a president of the Philippine Forum. "It's a small step in the right direction," he said, referring to colleges who he felt had been more generous in student grants.

Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III said one of the reasons the College decided to expand available funding was the increase in student organizations from 60 in 1970 to 250 today.

Cooke said the financial changes also stem in part from discussions last spring with the Undergraduate Council.

Currently, the council offers grants from around $250 to each organization. Cooke said a new fund was necessary for larger requests.

In reference to the financial changes, "I'mmore elated than words can express," said councilpresident Beth A. Stewart '99.

As well as making the announcements aboutfunding, the seminar leaders sought to assist thestudent leaders in running their organizationssmoothly.

"These seminars are offered to you as a serviceto continue or increase the strength of themanagement and direction of your organization,"Cooke said.

Epps introduced the seminars with a quickassessment of the benefits of successful financialplanning and the importance of alcoholresponsibility.

After listing what he considered to be theelements of leadership, he reiterated, "Please donot forget, this office was built for you."

Greg Murray, a member of the internal auditstaff for the College, spoke on the importance ofdocumenting expenditures and using checks insteadof cash.

The next speaker, Stephen E. Weinberg '99,former council Finance Committee Chair, outlinedpossible funding sources for student groups.

Weinberg said many of the purchases for whichstudents request funding are already provided forfree or at a low cost by Harvard.

He advised students to look into thesepossibilities before including such purchases intheir grant applications.

The alcohol seminar focused on the social hostresponsibilities of student organizations.

Speakers included representatives from theCambridge Licensing Commission, the HarvardUniversity Police Department, University HealthServices and the Beverage Authorization Team.

According to Cooke, last night was the firsttime the College has held such a presentation forstudent leaders.

Cooke said the College plans to hold futuretraining seminars in fundraising, conflictresolution mediation and the online calendar

In reference to the financial changes, "I'mmore elated than words can express," said councilpresident Beth A. Stewart '99.

As well as making the announcements aboutfunding, the seminar leaders sought to assist thestudent leaders in running their organizationssmoothly.

"These seminars are offered to you as a serviceto continue or increase the strength of themanagement and direction of your organization,"Cooke said.

Epps introduced the seminars with a quickassessment of the benefits of successful financialplanning and the importance of alcoholresponsibility.

After listing what he considered to be theelements of leadership, he reiterated, "Please donot forget, this office was built for you."

Greg Murray, a member of the internal auditstaff for the College, spoke on the importance ofdocumenting expenditures and using checks insteadof cash.

The next speaker, Stephen E. Weinberg '99,former council Finance Committee Chair, outlinedpossible funding sources for student groups.

Weinberg said many of the purchases for whichstudents request funding are already provided forfree or at a low cost by Harvard.

He advised students to look into thesepossibilities before including such purchases intheir grant applications.

The alcohol seminar focused on the social hostresponsibilities of student organizations.

Speakers included representatives from theCambridge Licensing Commission, the HarvardUniversity Police Department, University HealthServices and the Beverage Authorization Team.

According to Cooke, last night was the firsttime the College has held such a presentation forstudent leaders.

Cooke said the College plans to hold futuretraining seminars in fundraising, conflictresolution mediation and the online calendar