USG Approves Spring Funding

Wednesday night's USG meeting, while somewhat subdued given the approaching Spring Break, saw the approval of spring funding for student organizations and some small revisions to election and campaign policies. A resolution to change the current USG seal also passed.

Chairperson of the Funding Board Samuel Greenberg, a 6th-semester political science and journalism double major presented the results of the fourth spring funding board, which met Tuesday. The board listed financial support for various organizations that added up to $114,120. For the most part, there was little serious contention on the board for organizations, but some groups, such as Ballroom Dancing, Outing Club and Brundage Rifle had their requests for money outright denied or reduced as they were intending to use the funding for events closed off to the general student populace or items like T-shirts that had no perceived community value.

"The Outing Club wasn't funded because their event had no return to UConn or the students because it was closed," said Greenburg. "It was a whitewater event that wasn't advertised and seemed largely to be an excuse to enforce their dues, so it didn't seem right to fund."

In one instance, EcoHusky was denied funding because of USG policy to not give money to fundraisers going to charity. Greenberg clarified that the only time USG would give money to a charity fundraiser was when donations to that charity were optional for attendees.

Other funding cuts were due to clubs not properly completing paperwork, or in one case, failing to show up. Another request was denied because of the USG's policy of not funding the sales tax incurred by a group.

Also addressed at the meeting was the updated USG Election and Campaign policy statement.

"There aren't too many changes; it's mostly based on policies from the past dealing with what's expected of candidates when they campaign," said Speaker of the Senate Rob Casapulla, an 8th-semester political science major.

The new statement clarified the definition of polling station as any place where multiple students can cast their ballots. It determined that only USG can maintain such stations and that candidates remain prohibited from polling 100 feet within a table. It also detailed the position of the USG Advisor and her responsibility to, according to the new policy, "offer advice on safety, media and procedural issues during the elections for the Judiciary."

The statement also clarified conduct of organizations campaigning on a candidate's behalf, and that they were subject to the same standards as any candidate.

Election guidelines and campaign petition packets should be available the Monday after break.

A resolution to alter the USG seal was passed as well. The new design will replace the phrase "Huskies" in the current seal with the name "the University of Connecticut" and will feature the dates 1894, when a student government was first created, and 1980, when its name was officially changed to "the Undergraduate Student Government."

Contact Christopher Duray at

Christopher.Duray@UConn.edu.