The Associated Students of Madison Finance Committee debated the idea of capping student organizations' funding for event and travel grants Tuesday.
There is currently no limit to the amount of grants for which organizations can apply.
Overspending this semester left the Finance Committee only $996.48 in travel grants to allocate to student organizations at the meeting Tuesday, leaving some groups that had applied for grants empty-handed.
The committee said it hopes to get an internal budget transfer from the ASM Student Council to ensure it sufficient grant money for next semester.
Finance Committee Chair and UW-Madison junior Sree Atluru discussed the results of a glitch found in the committee's computer system Tuesday.
""We have overspent by $5,000,"" Atluru said, adding that the committee usually overspends every year.
A resolution was proposed to allocate up to $800 per organization in travel grant money from Jan. 1, 2007 to May 22, 2007.
Until further decisions are made, there is a temporary travel grant cap of $400.
The committee also considered resolutions regarding the distribution of event grants. Currently, the Finance Committee limits event grants to an amount of $2,840 per event.
One proposal said, ""A student organization may apply for two event grants per semester.""
""I understand the spirit of where this proposal comes from,"" said Atluru. ""However, I know there are organizations that put on more than two events per semester.""
If the committee passes the proposals given in the resolution, the resolution must next be approved by Student Council before being implemented.
""There has to be some restriction, but capping might not be the right way,"" said finance committee representative and UW-Madison senior Neha Sehgal.
The committee moved to discuss grants further at its next meeting Jan. 23, 2007, but discussed being more critical in the future of individual student organization proposals and making more cuts if necessary to conserve grant money.
