Many CSUN clubs and organizations are feeling a financial strain on their semester events this spring due to the unusually low budget Associated Students has reported.

AS is responsible for funding numerous events on campus that are sponsored and planned by student-run clubs and organizations. AS’s reported low financial budget has caused many clubs and organizations to turn to other means of allocating funds since AS has been falling short of their request budget. This has caused a financial chaos on clubs who are seeking help from AS to fund their event for the spring 2015 semester. Their low budget has left many students in shock; often feeling disappointed AS couldn’t provide additional help.

CSUN Gospel Choir, CSUN Model United Nations and TRENDS have requested a specific budget from AS in order to fund their semester events, however, all three clubs only received about a third of their asking price.

On behalf on the Chair of Finance, Emily Priyatmo, who was absent at the meeting, AS Vice-President Talar Alexanian, stated that the balances are fairly low for this time in the semester. She urged senate to be careful with what they approve and to not increase the allocations.

The CSUN Gospel Choir requested $7,555 for their choir production, they only received $500. CSUN Model United Nations requested $19,500 and received $5,000. TRENDS wished to allocate $4,043 for their annual fashion show and received $1,000.

All three clubs had asked AS to increase their funding but only one club was granted that request . Prior to the meeting, AS had agreed to allocate $3,600 for Model UN. However, due to senate’s discussion, they increased their allocation to $5,000. During an open forum dissuasion the president of the Gospel club asked senate to reconsider the amount given and to increase their allocation to $3,000.

“It’s shocking to see only a quarter of the money. We need their help to pay for marketing and the venue,” said Vice-President of TRENDS, Elvis Smith. “We now have to push for more fundraising events.”

According to Alexanian, Model UN’s case is a unique situation when discussing funding because it acts as both a club and a class therefore it also receives additional funding from other campus organizations and the department.

“I recommend to increase their funding to $5,000 in order to help fund their local California events. However, they still need money to go to New York,” said Alexanian.

“We are grateful for what we got but we just want to communicate with them on how important this event is. It is a 30 year old tradition and we keep growing each year, we are know at 700 participants and guest,” Smith said.

Smith, along with TRENDS faculty advisor Shirley Warren, stated that the show must go one no matter what occurs financially.

Feb. 16 agenda highlights

• Senate appointed 4 new senators. They appointed Dikran Khodanian for Senator for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; Kathryn Kargari for Senator for the College of Arts, Media, and Communications; Josselyn Partida for Senator for the College of Arts, Media, and communications and Nancy Alonzo, Graduate Senator

• Approved funding for AS marketing workstations, TRENDS fashion show, CSUN Gospel Choir and CSUN Model United Nations.

• The Tradition of the Rose allows CSUN students to place a red rose underneath the Matador statue in celebration, victory, and when overcoming a challenge or difficulty. You can also place a rose in honor and memory of a fallen matador.

• Approved the name change of the CSUN Russian Club and Campus Advance.

• Approved the constitution of the Model African Union Club

• Hosted a President’s day honorary event for past AS presidents