By Peijean Tsai
Daily Bruin Contributor
Students could either see an improvement or decline in
activities offered by the Undergraduate Students Association
Council, depending on what guidelines USAC sets for the use of
funds under its “other income.”
“Other income” includes all funds not derived from
student fees, such as fundraising and private donations. These
funds typically pay for USAC banquets, food, retreats and in rare
cases serve as a backup fund during financial emergencies.
USAC members want to clarify how other income can appropriately
be used, said academic affairs commissioner Bryant Tan.
“This is not about who gets the money, but about how it
should be used,” he said.
Setting guidelines could mean more money going toward student
activities rather than internal USAC business, Tan said.
“It could be better used for something other than food
(for USAC members),” he said.
No formal rules currently exist to regulate the use of other
income.
The matter of other income does not deal with spending student
fees, but any changes made about how this income can be spent could
indirectly affect students, said general representative Theo
Apostol.
Conversely, strict rules on the use of other income could
negatively impact student activities. If USAC were to limit the
spending of other income, an outside sponsor may choose not to
donate as much money as they would if the commissioners’
offices had complete freedom in funding activities, Apostol
said.
So far, no uses of other income have raised large concerns, but
boundaries must be set for its usage, to ensure that students are
best served by it, said Jerry Mann, director of the Student Union
and Student Support Services.
Because other income currently provides funding for expenses
that cannot come from student fees, possible limitations on what
such income can fund have council members worried. They are
concerned that financing activities will now have to come out of
their own pockets, said external vice president Evan Okamura.
USAC will set up a committee made up of its members that will
focus specifically on establishing a set of guidelines. The
committee will meet Tuesday.