By Julianna Cummins
Any student or affiliate student groups looking for funding from the Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) will be turned away empty-handed. The RSU’s budget, passed in October, cut $4,000 from the $14,000 pot for groups of students who want to run events or fund projects. Now, the $10,000 is gone and students who need cash are out of luck.
“We weren’t able to support a group of students who were participating in the United Way fundraising on campus,” said Toby Whitfield, VP finance and services. He said it’s disappointing the RSU can’t donate $500 for the campaign.
Ryerson’s World University Services Canada (WUSC) affiliate group only receives $250 from its mother organization, said Mary Pam Vincer, the communications officer of the chapter. WUSC organized the Student Refugee Program that will sponsor and support a refugee-status student attending Ryerson this September. Though WUSC received $2000 from the RSU for the Student Refugee Program, the group needs cash for operational costs and didn’t receive funds as an affiliate group.
“We were going to ask the RSU for money to buy photocopies, posters and food for promotion for our cause, but now we have to do less,” said Vincer. “I don’t know how we’ll function without it.”
Sid Naidu, VP life and events said $10,000 is enough for student initiatives if budgeted properly. “We have such a diverse body, and so many different student initiatives that it’s hard to please everybody.”
Naidu said the funds running out isn’t about the budget cut — it’s about spending choices.
Rebecca Rose, VP education, disagrees. She said the budget cut wasn’t well thought out.
“Many people on the board just didn’t do their research when they passed it,” she said.
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