The Collegians For A Constructive Tomorrow appealed a student government decision that deemed the group ineligible for funding to the Student Judiciary Tuesday.
The Student Services Finance Committee said CFACT intentionally violated Associated Students of Madison policy two years ago when they turned in equipment late, making them ineligible for funding.
But CFACT President Josh Smith said the group did not intentionally violate the policy, but rather was confused by the requests made by ASM. One example the group gave was an instance in which ASM asked they return a "large speaker," that ended up being Ted Nugent, a former rock star who came to speak to the group.
"No reasonable member of SSFC could have found the evidence supported the conclusion that CFACT intentionally violated ASM or UW policies," Smith said.
Smith said even if the violation was intentional, the two years of ineligibility that follow an intentional policy violation were over before SSFC deemed CFACT ineligible.
SSFC Legal Counsel Samir Jaber said CFACT brought the same case before the SJ last year and the group was ultimately deemed ineligible.
"They presented no new claims," Jaber said. "They presented no new grounds to come to a different determination than previous SJs have come to."
SSFC Chair Sarah Neibart said when the committee heard CFACT's eligibility this year, they were still ineligible because the group's final deadline for returning the equipment was less than two years prior to the hearing.
Neibart said even if the SJ approves CFACT's appeal, the group still would not be able to re-apply for eligibility until next year.
-Anna Duffin
