The Student Finance Board (SFB) fully funded a $1,973 request from "The Lion's Eye" literary magazine to fund a fall issue at its meeting last week, despite concerns about the organization's financial discipline and the possibility of having to fund a spring issue.
Craig Gross, SFB chairperson, explained that the magazine used its annual base operating budget to pay for last year's spring issue. Therefore, the magazine had no money left in its account this year to pay for an issue as it had been allocated.
As a result, the magazine asked SFB for money for a fall issue. Helen Walters, co-editor, explained that although there was another literary magazine, "The Siren," on campus, the differences between the works justified the request of "The Lion's Eye."
"We think there's enough diversity for two literary magazines," Walters said.
Allison Lawler, co-editor, explained that the magazine was hoping to sell ads in the future to fund-raise, but that the magazine does not want to rely on money it does not yet have. She also explained that the magazine is considering a joint issue with "The Siren" in the spring.
But the magazine's editors hinted that they would be looking for money for a spring issue next semester, which concerned the board.
Julia Pratt, director of communications, pointed out that if the board funded a fall and spring issue for "The Lion's Eye," "The Siren" would also be justified in asking for two issues.
While some members suggested requiring the "Lion's Eye" to print a joint issue with "The Siren" in the spring, Tim Asher, SFB advisor, pointed out that SFB has no authorization to require two organizations to combine in such a manner.
A motion to give the magazine the full $1,973 passed 10-3, but with the warning that it should be spent wisely, for the board may not fund another request in the spring. Additionally, "The Lion's Eye" will be required to spend it this fiscal year.
SFB also funded a new club budget for the Caribbean Student Association (CaribSA), with $152 by a vote of 9-4.
CaribSA asked for $655 for office supplies, publicity and a phone account, which struck many board members as too much for an organization that dissolved last year and is just now trying to get back on its feet.
"I don't think they're ready (for this much funding), especially if they don't know what they want to do (for programming)," Julian Gomez, representative-at-large, said.
But other members looked at the bigger question of new ethnic organizations which used to be part of other, larger ethnic organizations. CaribSA, for example, used to be part of Uni?n Latina.
"My concern is that every special interest group needs its own group," Pratt said. "I would like to see more working together."
"It's not benefiting the campus to have all of these limited clubs," Matthew Civiletti, Student Government Association (SGA) vice president of administration and finance, said.
Gross said while SGA has to recognize almost any club, SFB does not need to necessarily fund all of these clubs. But CaribSA, he said, has had a budget before, and that the board should keep that in mind.
The motion for $152 passed, slashing the publicity budget and cutting the phone request entirely.
The College Union Board (CUB) received $25,000 for its Kevin Lyttle dance party concert in the recreation center.
"We want to catch people as they are rising, not as they are falling," Stefan Hayden, CUB Web master, said in explanation of CUB's choice of Lyttle.
Hayden also said he wanted to promote a "club" type atmosphere instead of just a concert.
The opener will be two DJs from the New York club Webster Hall, which will bring sound equipment as well as free giveaways for the audience members.
CUB also wants to bring '90s artist Mr. Cheeks as a second opening act, but his $7,500 fee was more than the board had originally authorized CUB to bid for talent.
Bill Carroll, director of finance, suggested that the board give CUB $25,000, half of the $50,000 high volume event line, and have CUB cover the rest of the cost out of its box office income.
In other business, Uni?n Latina received $2,217 for its Gala de la Raza event and TCNJ Lifesavers, a pro-life organization, received a $417 new club budget.
