Sources of Council Funding

General Comments

Student Councils are funded through the Division of Student Affairs. The funds are administered and approved by Nicolle Bruechert, Student Council Budget Advisor, in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Council money is used to fund activities that will benefit all the students of a school. It is not a fund that is solely used by the council members, although it is understood that in the course of planning and organizing activities, council members will incur and should be reimbursed for expenditures. Each council should have a mechanism (usually, council meetings that are open to all students of that school) that allows the student body to have a say in what the council will fund.

Funding Formula

Funding is allocated for each academic year based on a formula of $15.00 per full-time student and $7.50 per part-time student. The enrollment figures are provided in an official report issued by the Registrar's Office for the previous fall semester. Based on this formula, monies are placed in a University budget account

Funds not spent by a council in one academic year are carried forward for council use during the next year. Similarly, deficits incurred by the council in a given year are carried forward and charged against the council's budget for the next year.

Alternate Sources of Funding

If your council decides that additional funding is needed for an event currently in your budget, a new event, or an unexpected expense, there are numerous ways to add money to your allocated budget. The following are descriptions of the most common sources of alternate funding on campus. Councils can seek funding from sources outside the University as well.

Contingency Funding

The Council Contingency Fund (CCF) provides additional funding for Student Councils that show demonstrated need. The Student Affairs Budget Advisory Committee (SABAC) will have the responsibility of allocating additional monies from the CCF to the various councils. Student Councils must comply with SABAC guidelines to be eligible to receive monies. Additional information and applications for Contingency Funding are issued by the University Committee on Student Life (see Appendix C).

If approved for Contingency Funds, a Council's account will only be reimbursed by SABAC for receipts submitted for approved expenses related to their event. Councils must identify contingency expenses as incurred and the funds will be transferred only if and when the Council depletes its regular account allocation.

Fund-Raising

A council can sponsor events to raise funds to augment their budget. Examples of fund-raising activities include bake sales, film screenings, lectures, and parties. Your council must rely on its own funds to cover the initial expenses for such events. It is helpful to do a cost projection for such an event prior to making any commitments

If income from an event will be used to fund activities for this year, the event should be planned so that the money will be collected and deposited into the council's account within the current academic year (see Spending Monies: Specific Procedures). If money is expected to be collected or deposited during the next academic year, be aware that no credit or allowance will be extended in the current year for "expected income".

Co-Sponsored Events

Councils are encouraged to co-sponsor events with other councils, student clubs, the Program Board or the academic departments within their schools as a means of maximizing resources such as space, funds, and manpower. Contact the Office of Student Activities for the names and mailboxes of all registered clubs.

When co-sponsoring events, it is a good idea to write up a formal agreement, outlining the budget for the event. The agreement should detail how much each group will contribute and which expenses each will pay for the event. In addition, the agreement should spell out how each group will be credited in banners, flyers or event programs for participating or funding the event.

Office of Health Promotion and Wellness Services

Office of Health Promotion and Wellness Services supports substances-free programming. Councils may apply for funds to help offset the cost of substances-free events. The maximum grant is $300 per event.

Pick up a Funding Application from the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness Services or download one at http://www.nyu.edu/nyuhc/owl/owl-paws.html. For additional, contact the department directly at (212) 443-1234.

Donations

Student Council may use their funds to host on-campus programs to raise funds to donate to not-for-profit 501c (3) tax exempt charities. The use of University facilities for the purpose of raising funds whether through charter admission to an event, by soliciting voluntary contributions, or otherwise, is permitted only under the following conditions: by University organizations, provided the funds raised are intended for purposes of the University and its exemption from registration under New York Social Services Law, and in no event are intended to be used for the support of political activities. Students can not commit themselves to donating funds until they have received approval from their Budget Manager.