Appeals Process

If your organization does not appear on the Appropriations Bill that the Committee on Budget and Finance presents before the Student Senate, don't panic. First of all, you should schedule and attend an Appeals Interview with members of the Budget and Finance Committee. If you do not attend this meeting, or do not feel that you have been allocated the correct amount, you should then contact a Senator from your college and contact the Chair or Vice-Chair of the Budget & Finance Committee. Sometimes, it is a simple clerical error on the part of the Budget & Finance Committee that can be fixed before the bill is passed. Otherwise, it might be a reason to enter into the Appeals Process. The Appeals Process is a chance to have your questions answered face-to-face with the people present during the initial allocation. It is also an opportunity to state your case before a fresh set of committee members and with a different set of questions.

Reasons an organization would want to appeal:

• Did not appear on the Appropriations Bill
• Feels that they did not receive sufficient funds

To appeal, the organization should:

1. Schedule an Appeals Interview by going to the SGA office in room 302 of the SUB. Then attend the Appeals Interview with members of the Budget and Finance committee.
2. If, after the amounts have been reallocated following appeals, the organization does not feel they have received sufficient funds, they should contact a Student Senator who is not a member of the Committee on Budget and Finance. Typically, it is suggested that organizations wishing to appeal a decision of the Committee should contact a Student Senator representing its respective college. In addition, Senators-At-Large may be contacted by any organization. If you plan to appeal on the floor of the Senate, the Student Senate is not allowed to consider an appeal unless it is argued by a member of the Senate. You may be advised on who should represent your appeal by calling the Student Government Association Office at (806)742-3631.
3. Plan a time to meet and discuss your case with the Senator. When meeting with the senator, you should discuss the following:
   1. Why you did not appear on the bill
   2. Your history as a Funded/Registered Student Organization
   3. The amount that you are asking to be funded and why
   4. Other means your organization has of raising money
   5. Awards or recognitions bestowed upon your organization
4. Attend a Mediation Hearing before the Budget & Finance Committee. The organization must attend a mediation hearing with the committee in order to negotiate an allocation for the organization. At this hearing, the organization should expect from the Committee on Budget & Finance:
   1. To explain the reason they were left off the bill
   2. Discuss an appropriate allocation based on the reasons they were initially omitted from the bill and funding criteria
   3. Questions regarding their Budget Application and use of funds. The Budget & Finance Committee may vote to amend the Bill for an agreed amount.
5. A Student Senator may present your case to the entire Student Senate.
   If the organization is still unhappy with the allocation after the results from the Mediation Hearing, their Senator may appeal to the entire Student Senate on their behalf. Once a Student Senator decides to present an organization's appeal to the Student Senate for consideration, the matter is in the jurisdiction of the Student Senate. The Student Senate at large shall be responsible for deciding and considering appeals that are presented by a Student Senator.

It is important to note, a Student Senator is not obligated to present an appeal, although, the senator will likely present an organization's appeal if the appeal holds merit. It is also recommended that representatives from the student organization be in attendance at the Senate Meeting where their appeal will be made. The Student Senate has the final authority on all allocations. Organizations who are not included on the final bill are eligible for a limited amount of contingency funding, determined by the SGA President.