Clubs adjust to cuts

Per the most recent Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, club budgets have officially been cut by 25%. This was not unexpected as reductions have been implemented all across campus. As a result, all clubs must learn to adapt with all of the changes.

For Cameron Sicinski, president of Criminal and Social Justice (CSJU) Charter Club, the cuts did not come as a surprise. 

“When SGA gave us those two options, we weren’t necessarily blindsided but it still kind of stuck us on the side a bit,” Sicinski said. “No one wants to lose money at the end of the day…but with reductions you just got to make do.”

Anyone who is a part of a club must now reassess spending. Money that was once used for fun activities at social events may need to cover more important costs clubs have.

“This definitely limits our ability to do any social activities,” Sicinski said.

Though the cuts will no doubt be brutal to some clubs, it may bring us all closer.

“I argue that we will be resilient as clubs,” Sicinski said. “These cuts are going to affect some more than others so it’s important that we look out for each other and support each other in this endeavor as a student life organization.”

I spoke with Helga Bintsarovskaya, president of the Justice League, about how cuts have been affecting her club.

“We would probably have to adjust what we do for students, how many students we can bring to conventions and what activities we do,” Bintsarovskaya said.

Bintsarovskaya mentioned one of the last Justice League club events was a free mini painting event which they used money from their budget to provide supplies. However because of budget cuts she mentions, “We probably wouldn’t be able to do events like that open for students.”

Though extra money was offered to those who ask, it is safe to assume that this money will be used sparingly and may go to those who need it most. The SGA board suggested clubs do fundraisers and ensured that the money each club raises will go back into the respective clubs.

Bintsarovskaya had been working with the Justice League on how to do fundraisers prior to the advice given by SGA, in order to help other clubs with smaller budgets. 

“I really like the idea of students doing fundraisers and other kinds of events to support the university,” Bintsarovskaya said. “I was one of the biggest promoters of that in general and I still am.”

Bintsarovskaya is excited and willing to help with fundraisers to help clubs and USF in general.

“I ask students for their feedback and students have ideas of how to fundraise, promote and use their skills to help the university,” Bintsarovskaya said. “Even if it's not for my club just in general to help the university, I would be so glad to do something like that if we can.”

Of course, not everyone is going to be happy with this decision. No one is going to be happy hearing that their budget will be cut. The idea of having to reevaluate your clubs expenses is a headache to say the least/

I cannot help but wonder if there was a better way to split these reductions? I feel for those with smaller budgets who have to work with an even smaller budget now. Every club deserves the ability to host an event that promotes student life and it genuinely hurts to see that these events or trips may need to be cut completely.

I truly hope that fundraisers will be successful enough to keep the clubs afloat and proceed with business as usual as much as they possibly can.

For now, I think it is important that we uplift each other, support these clubs and build a partnership while we navigate through these unfortunate changes.