In an effort to aid financially strapped Contracted Independent Organizations, Student Council has teamed with the University Bookstore to offer these groups selling time at a concession stand at home football games.
Since Sept. 21, 28 CIOs have applied to hawk Bookstore wares. In exchange for selling a variety of University paraphernalia, including t-shirts, hats and stadium seats, the CIOs receive 10 percent of the profits.
"All they have to do is show up," Council Vice President for Administration Will Sowers said. "It's a very easy fundraiser that doesn't require any expenditure or risk on the part of the CIO."
Although initially the concession stand was intended for Council's own use, the opportunity was turned over to CIOs when Council realized it did not need the fundraising opportunity.
"The money to be earned could be better used by CIOs that either don't have any of their own funds or received little to no SAF [Student Activities Funds] in the spring appropriations process," Sowers said.
Many CIOs currently are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of last year's budget cuts and increased competition for private fundraising.
One such CIO is the Men's Club Volleyball team, which rented the stand for the recent home football game against Wake Forest.
According to team president and third-year Commerce student Scott Howard, members of the squad raised around $400 during the game.
Although this is hardly enough to cover the team's estimated $5,500 in tournament entry and equipment expenses, Howard said the amount raised is twice what the group had in its bank account. The team did not receive any money from appropriations.
"We were obviously appreciative we got the opportunity because we have such a lack of funds," Howard said. "Any way we can make money, we're willing to work for it."
While the Men's Club Volleyball team had the stand to itself, other groups will have to share responsibilities and profits with as many as three other CIOs.
Sowers said the number is dependent on the predicted turnout for each game. Four groups will work the stand together at both the Florida State and Virginia Tech games.
Thirteen CIOs currently are on the waiting list for stand rental this season.
Sowers said although the application process does not discriminate based on CIO programming, it does give priority to new groups or groups that have struggled financially in the past.
"We understand the hardships they've been through and the hardship they expect to go through this year," Sowers said. "Everyone on Student Council is committed to getting CIOs the resources they need."
In addition to renting out the concession stand, Council is holding a "HooBay" flea market Oct. 22 in the Amphitheatre. CIOs are invited to sell baked goods, donated items and services at the event.
"If they take away $150 to $200 from that, that can make a big difference in some CIO budgets," Sowers said.
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