Bard is home to over 80 student clubs, many of the with an arts focus. Funds are allocated once a semester, from the Convocation Fund, by a three-part process. First, clubs submit budget proposals to the student government and attend “budget defense” where the government can seek clarification on budget items and assure proper budgeting procedure. The government then completes a preliminary budget. Finally, and best of all, the budget is taken to the budget forum.
Budget Forum Fall 2009
The budget forum is open to all students. At the Fall 2009 Budget Forum, snow cones, popcorn and cotton candy were served. After some brief student government elections, the budgeting portion of the event begins. Based on the preliminary budget, clubs can bring “friendly amendments” and “hostile amendments”. (Amendments were accepted up until the beginning of the forum in fall 2009 but a procedural vote passed to require that amendments be submitted 24 hours in advance for future forums.) A friendly amendment is when a club requires more funds for a specific activity , makes its case to the assembled students and elicits voluntary donations from the coffers of other clubs. Often several clubs offer small amounts towards a larger goal.
A hostile amendment occurs if, for example, Club A was organizing a concert and required $1000 for that purpose but was not given adequate funds in the preliminary budget, but they see $1000 in Club B’s budget for something they believe is less valuable to the Bard student community. After the moderator announces the amendment, 4 students speak, for 30 seconds each, 2 for and 2 against the amendment. This is very on-the-fly as a club will not know in advance if their club will be attacked by another club, ensuring that all club members attend and that the proceedings are raucous. Catcalls were common, especially for those clubs who missed budget deadlines or did not attend budget defense. After the speakers the amendment is voted, by show of hands of those present, with a simple majority determining the outcome.
After all the amendments submitted by clubs have gotten a vote, the budget is finalized.
For information on student government, the budgeting process, the finalized budget and schedule of events related to club funding, visit the student government website.
[posted by: Dylan Peet]
