Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) President Ryan Gregg and ASBSU members met Tuesday, Oct. 16, in their weekly meeting to discuss various topics of financial interest to the
student body, including the idea of Individual Grants. Previously, students have had access to apply for the Individual Grant, which if approved, enabled students to receive funding for proposed research purposes. The grant had been dissolved due to issues stemming from fund mismanagement, accountability and the amount of funds individually distributed.
“It was a lot of money, and there wasn’t a lot of accountability in terms of how we would make sure people were using it,” Gregg said. “We had a couple times where someone applied for up to $1,500 to go someplace and at the last minute something came up like, their dog was having a puppy, and they were like, ‘oops I can’t go’ and we had already
paid $1,000.”
However, after multiple complaints from students regarding inability to access individual grant funding, Vice President of ASBSU Nick Gaudioso drafted a bill to reinstate individual grants.
The proposed bill, titled the Reinstatement of Individual Grants, Executive Council Bill FY 2013-03#, addresses the fact that non-traditional students find it hard to receive grant funding through clubs, since they do not possess the time to become active in student organizations. Students currently can receive funding as a group, organizations are allowed to apply for funding through the Direct Club Grant. This type of funding excludes those who desire to conduct research individually and according to strict time availability.
The Student Research Initiative Grant (SRI), which is currently available, allows students to apply for individual research funding, but submission of proposals was due on or before Oct. 15. Students have expressed concern they cannot be sure what research they will conduct so early in the school year and cannot realistically meet the deadline. f the grant is reinstated, students can submit a proposal anytime during the school year, and receive individually up to $350 in funding.
ASBSU is expected to vote on the proposed bill Tuesday, Oct. 23. ASBSU meetings are held every Tuesday at 1:45 p.m. on the first floor of the SUB in the Forum room. Gregg and members encourage students to attend and contribute.
