In a unanimous vote, Student Council passed a bill last night that will overhaul the CIO appropriations process, according to Council President Noah Sullivan.
"This is the critical process that Student Council oversees, so it is important that we get it right," Sullivan said. "This is more than an incremental change."
Council Vice President for Organizations Rebecca Keyworth said the changes will affect all students.
"Every student should care about this because it is something that we all pay for," Keyworth said. "It is one of the most important initiatives Student Council has taken this semester."
Under the new process, Council's representative body will divide the Student Activity Fund between annualized and rolling processes.
Organizations will submit their operational expenses, such as supply and equipment costs, on an annual basis every spring.
On the other hand, organizations will submit their activity and travel budgets either on an annual or rolling basis.
Groups that apply for activity or travel funds under the annual process will not be able to apply for funds under the rolling process.
Organizations will apply for these funds four to six weeks before they are needed. The Appropriations Committee will consider applications for funds on an ongoing basis.
Appeals will also be considered on a rolling basis.
The process of reforming appropriations has been a long one that will involve some tinkering in the future.
"A couple years ago, people said overhauling the system was too much of a challenge," Sullivan said. "We've put in the general framework, and next semester we'll fill in the gaps. This will go into effect this [academic] year."
Council has been finalizing plans since the summer, Keyworth said.
She added that Council sought input from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, the representative body and students.
"We have had two public forums and met with several groups individually," Keyworth said. "We also got input from the Law School and Darden."
Council also researched the ways that other schools and non-profit organizations allocated funds and grants.
"We have asked the tough questions," Sullivan said. "Past groups have said, 'Leave this alone,' and we've said, 'We can do better.'"
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