SSDP LOSES CHECK-OFF FUNDS

Register on time or you won't get a dime. This was the message the Senate
Appropriations Committee sent to student organizations last Tuesday. The
SAC is responsible for allocating money to student organizations. Students
for a Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) were several days late turning in
paperwork that must be filed yearly for all student organizations. As a
result, they lost their charter for several days and $516 of funding. This
funding was allocated to them by students who filled out the optional
check-off form during the annual Student Association elections in spring.
With this form students can choose up to four groups they want the student
organization portion of their segregated fees to go to.

SSDP officer Liz Ahlstrom has tried on three occasions to retrieve this
money from the SAC. The latest request on Nov. 26 was denied and "postponed
indefinitely," which means the matter cannot come before the SAC again. The
SSDP was told that this lost money could be used as a "bargaining chip" in
future formal funding requests but will not be granted to the organization.
The money is now in a general fund that can be allocated to any organization.

"Now we have to completely start from scratch," said Ahlstrom. "We'll get
by, I'm not that worried. I might start saving some money. Start my own
SSDP fund. We can also get help from other organizations. The group is
considering holding a hemp bake sale.

But, because of the high cost of hemp butter (nearly $7 per stick) and
other hemp baking ingredients, it will require the group to save a lot of
money, said Ahlstrom. Money for fundraising purposes can only come from
check-off funds and donations, and may not be requested from the SAC.

Ann Boerger, also an SSDP officer, said the group can find ways to carry
out its mission without the money. "It's more than making money and
spending money. It's about helping people," said Boerger. She said the
group can help other organizations like the AIDS Resource Center of
Wisconsin (ARCW) that helps to fight AIDS and Hepatitis C with a needle
exchange and condom giveaway program. The ARCW recently lost funding due to
Milwaukee County budget cuts made by County Executive Scott Walker.

Another group she'd like to see SSDP support is Dance Safe. This group
attends local rave parties and provides information about drugs, safer sex
and other health-related issues. Dance Safe also offers a pill testing
service at raves so recreational drug users know what they are taking.

In addition to this, said Boerger, SSDP could participate in an "adopt a
prisoner" program and send letters to inmates jailed in drug-related offences.

According to the Student Organization Manual, groups must register their
organization within the first 30 days of the fall semester. Those that fail
to do so will not only lose money allocated to them from check-off votes,
but also lose Union office space and office equipment.

Check-off funds are given directly to student organizations. This money can
be used to support day-to-day expenses like printing and postage.

Groups can also use the funds to buy supplies for additional fund-raising.
Groups that require money in excess of check-off funds must fill out a
formal request detailing the amount and specific reason it is needed. These
can include money needed for travel expenses, equipment purchases, event
planning, speaker's fees and more.