Funding Principles

In order to receive funding through SAFAC, a student organization must be a registered and in good standing with the Committee on Student Organizations (COSO).  The organization’s membership and programs must be open to all University of Miami students.  Student organizations with selective membership may apply for stipulated funding for programs open to the entire University community. 

• SAFAC allocates funding to student organizations, provided that at least 75% of the organization’s membership has undergraduate student status.  Student organizations, which do not fulfill this requirement, will have funding decisions reduced by a percentage equal to the amount of non-undergraduate students.
• SAFAC only allocates funds for one fiscal year.  A referendum is required for multi-year expenditures.  Unused funds will be returned to SAFAC at the end of each fiscal year (May 31st).
• SAFAC does not fund the totality of a student organization.  SAFAC’s role is to subsidize an organization’s expenditures.  Student organizations are encouraged to seek outside sources of income (i.e. dues, sponsorship).
• Priority in SAFAC funding is given to student organizations that enhance student life and the out-of-class experience or improve the educational climate at the University.
• Priority in SAFAC funding is given to programs held on the University of Miami campus.
• Priority in SAFAC funding is given to programs that relate to the guiding principles and objectives of the student organization requesting the funds.
• SAFAC funding will be based on the necessity of expenditures (as determined by SAFAC) for the successful completion of a program.
• SAFAC funding shall be based on the merits of programs designed for and open to the entire university community.
• The Vice President for Student Affairs must approve all funding decisions made by SAFAC.

Funding Procedures

There are three types of funding requests; Fall Funding requests, Supplemental Funding requests, and Capital Expenditure Funding requests.  Fall Funding requests are submitted once a year in the spring or at any time during the following year, for the following year’s expenditures.  Supplemental Funding requests are submitted throughout the year for new or unexpected expenditures, and Capital Expenditure Funding requests are submitted as necessary for infrequent expenses; such as computers, costumes, or uniforms.

In order to apply for any type of funding, a student organization must be registered with the Committee on Student Organizations.  The correct form(s) must be submitted to SAFAC in two formats, hard copy and on email to ,a href=mailto:“safac@umiami.edu”>safac@umiami.edu. The organization’s primary officer, treasurer, advisor, and SAFAC liaison must sign the hard copy version.  Forms will not be processed without signatures. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR LIASION SIGNS THE FORM FIRST, BEFORE THE OFFICERS.

Fall Budget Requests

• Spring semester deadline, in order to receive funds before mid fall.
• Student organizations must be registered with the Committee on Student Organizations by the end of the fall semester.
• Organization treasurers must attend a mandatory workshop (held in February) prior to submitting their student organization’s funding request.  All information and forms regarding the funding process will be distributed at this time.
• New student organizations will receive a maximum budget of $200.00 for their first year.  New student organizations must go through the funding process.
• Funding for programs must be listed in priority order.  Most important programs must be listed first on the request form.
• Supporting documentation must be attached to funding requests for any requested items above or not included in guidelines.
• SAFAC reviews all Fall Funding request forms over a designated weekend.  Student organizations may be asked to present their requests, should questions arise.
• Student organizations will be notified of funding allocations in writing prior to the end of the spring semester.

Supplemental Funding and Capital Expenditure Requests

• There is no limit to the amount of funding that can be applied for.
• Submitted as needed, at least four weeks prior to the event.
• Student organizations may not request funding for a program/event that was held prior to submitting a funding request form or for events where funding has already been committed.
• Funding for programs must be listed in priority order.  Most important programs must be listed first on the request form.
• Supporting documentation must be attached to funding requests, for any items above or not included in guidelines.
• Student organization representatives will be scheduled to present their requests to SAFAC.
• Organizations will be notified of funding allocations in writing approximately two weeks after presenting their request to SAFAC.

Funding Policies

Student organizations must use funds in the manner in which they were allocated.  SAFAC may monitor student organization accounts and may require student organizations to submit documentation detailing their account transactions.

Student organizations are held responsible for their accounts and are accountable for the funding they receive.  Student organizations must repay SAFAC for any debt incurred. 

Student organizations may not make a profit from any event funded in part by SAFAC.

Appeals Process

Student Organizations have the ability to appeal the funding allocation decision given to them by SAFAC to Student Government.

The appeal can be made only if: 1) the allocation is in violation of that year’s precedence in voting or 2) the allocation is shown to be an egregious oversight on SAFAC’s behalf. The Policy and Finance Committee for Student Government will review all appeals and work with the organization on their validity before presenting to Student Government.

SAFAC meets on Mondays at 2:30pm, and organizations are notified of SAFAC’s decision by that Wednesday of the same week. The student organization has until 5:00pm that Friday to file for an appeal. An appeal can only be made on the basis of a violation of that year’s precedence as set by SAFAC or an egregious oversight on SAFAC’s behalf.

Organizations that do not appeal their allocation will then receive notice and funds by the middle of the following week, as current procedure. Organizations which chose to appeal will submit an Appeals Form to the Student Activities Office. A copy of the appeal will be sent to the Chair of SAFAC and the Speaker of the Senate.

The organizations appealing will be advised by the Policy and Finance Committee during the Committee’s Tuesday meeting. Then the organization will present to Senate that Wednesday.

During Senate, both SAFAC (represented by the Chair or the Vice-Chair) and the student organization (represented by both the President and the Treasurer) will present their cases. Senate decision requires a 2/3 majority of those present and voting to make a second recommendation. The Student Government President will not have approval or veto authority.

The Vice President of Student Affairs will then receive SAFAC’s recommendation and Senate’s recommendation simultaneously if appealed, and make a decision accordingly.

The timeline for appeals will be as follows:

First Week Monday - SAFAC meetings at 2:30pm
First Week Wednesday - organizations will be notified of their allocation
First Week Friday - Student organizations will have until 5pm today to make their appeal via official form to the Student Activities Office. Copies of the appeal will be given to the Chair of SAFAC and the Speaker of the Senate.
Second Week Monday - SAFAC meetings at 2:30pm
Second Week Tuesday - organizations who did not appeal will be notified of their allocation officially from week one. Money will be transferred at this time.
Second Week Tuesday - Policy and Finance Committee will advise organization appealing during their meeting.
Second Week Wednesday - Organization and SAFAC will present to the Senate during their meeting.
Second Week Thursday - both recommendations (SAFAC and SG) will go to the Vice President of Student Affairs to make the allocation decision.