An Associated Students of Madison financial committee unanimously denied InterVarsity Christian Fellowship funding from the General Student Services Fund at a meeting Thursday.
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship is a student organization that offers small-group Bible studies, facilitates “witnessing communities” and hosts weekly worship and discussion sessions, according to Executive Team member Cassandra Chiao.
Student groups receiving funding from the General Segregated Service Fund must present to the Student Services Finance Committee every two years at eligibility hearings and demonstrate their ability to provide direct services to students. Direct services are defined as educational benefits available and customizable to the needs of any UW-Madison student.
SSFC Vice Chair Ian Malmstadt said InterVarsity Christian Fellowship does not provide some of its services throughout the entire fiscal year and does not make its services available to all university students, both of which are GSSF eligibility criteria.
Malmstadt said the organization only focuses on undergraduate students and not “all university students,” which makes them ineligible for funding.
Chiao said although InterVarsity Christian Fellowship focuses primarily on undergraduate students, there is a separate chapter of the organization that serves graduate students.
“It’s just really how our organization is set up,” Chiao said. “We do reach mostly undergrads, so I completely understand their decision, and I respect that.”
SSFC also voted to approve GSSF funding for BadgerSpill, which is a student organization that provides an online platform for students to anonymously submit questions and receive feedback from peers.
