Every tour guide at Ohio University proudly boasts the school’s “over 550 student organizations” to potential students. Traversing the brick streets, OU-clad guides often offer an accompanying quip: “and if there’s not one you like, you can start your own!”
But these organizations do not sprout from College Green, no matter their appearance at the annual Involvement Fair. Rather, these organizations require hard work, student leadership and, of course, money. Student organizations have the opportunity to tap into OU’s funds through the Student Appropriations Committee, or SAC, which provides monetary support to student groups. However, this funding needs to be readjusted in order to better serve OU’s student organizations.
Student executive members for each organization must apply for SAC funding in order to receive money, and they must also attend information sessions. Student treasurers are also required to read OU’s Treasurer’s Manual, a detailed document outlining how to use SAC funds. Organizations can apply for bi-weekly and semesterly funding through SAC by providing detailed requests.
This process is only logical, but the steps that follow prove less helpful. Groups awarded semesterly funding have only a short amount of time to use the money supposedly sanctioned for the entire semester. The Treasurer’s Manual states “misspent or unused funds will be audited back to SAC.” This is accompanied by a deadline of mid-September to spend all semesterly allotted funds. Any money unspent by this deadline is reclaimed and the organization cannot get it back.
Student groups are also not permitted to use Venmo, which limits their ability to fundraise on campus. Many students have some form of virtual payment option on their phone but may not carry cash, as evidenced by a 2019 USA Today investigation that revealed college students are much more likely to use virtual payment forms than cash. A 2021 Deliotte study reported a 20% increase of mobile payment options following the COVID-19 pandemic. Preventing organizations from using alternative payment forms limits the donations they are able to receive.
The format for declaring and requesting funds is also incredibly confusing. Student treasurers use a program called Oracle Business Intelligence, or OBI, which is remarkably innavigable. Perhaps the acronyms and jargon would make sense to the practiced accountant, but for largely volunteer student positions, the system is not nearly as user-friendly as it could be.
It is understandable that SAC funding would want to ensure money is not being pocketed, but if funds are distributed to last an entire semester, the money should be able to be spent throughout the semester. Alternative payment forms should also be permitted, as the current policy denies funding opportunities from student groups. Finally, while a system must be in place for record keeping, it should be a system that is easy to understand.
My advice? The SAC funding system should be reorganized to better assist the students it is intended for. SAC should consider extending the period of time organizations can spend their semester funds so that the money can stretch the time it is allotted for, with detailed record keeping to ensure funds are being properly used. Additionally, students should be allowed to accept Venmo, with a Venmo account set up linked to their club’s OU bank account. Finally, SAC should consider implementing a simpler fund program than OBI, such as one of the plethora of online resources that are simpler to use.
OU student groups are lucky to have a system in place at all, just as OU is lucky to be populated with so many enthusiastic students, but both groups should compromise to best serve their organizations so no one has to pay the price of a lack of funds.
Katie Millard is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Tell Katie by tweeting her at @katie_millard11.
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