The Multicultural Student Coalition told the Student Government Finance Committee Monday it is eligible to receive funding.
MCSC Diversity Educator Rebecca Pons said the group benefits the UW-Madison community in many ways, such as acting as first responders to incidents of racism and sexism on campus.
SSFC Rep. Cale Plamann asked how much of MCSC's time is devoted to providing students on campus services. To be eligible for funding, the MCSC's staff must spend at least 60 percent of its time directly serving students.
After the group listed how each of its staff members directly serves the student body, Plamann said he was still uncertain whether MCSC fulfilled the requirement.
""I didn't get a lot of very key questions answered,"" Plamann said. ""I'm in limbo at the moment.""
SSFC will determine if MCSC is eligible for funding Thursday.
Aside from its eligibility hearing, MCSC Diversity Educator Nneka Akubeze spoke against SSFC's decision to deny MCSC a budget alteration last week.
Akubeze said the group needed the alteration to pay alumni to come from out of town to train MCSC members.
""These people have families and jobs,"" Akubeze said. ""It's unreasonable to expect MCSC alumni to fly to Madison on their own time and do it for free.""SSFC Chair Sarah Neibart denied the request for the budget alteration last week because if the request had been granted, the group would not have finished its budget outline by their eligibility hearing.
Plamann said the group could find people to train members at a lower price.
""We have to remember we're using student funds here,"" Plamann said. ""Because of that, we should be looking at reasonable amounts of funds.""
Akubeze said SSFC should not inhibit the group from functioning at its fullest capacity.
""It's important for you all to provide the most resources possible for students on campus,"" Akubeze said.
