What this means for student organizations is that they’re going to need to get all requests for events in early, as the undermanned staff won’t be able to handle last-minute requests.

The Student Activities Office has undergone some changes from last year due to the loss of a number of staff members and a new budget

“Student Association is going in a new direction, and they’re taking over some of SAO’s services,” said interim dean of students Tom McGinnity.

The funding for Student Activities has actually increased by 40 cents per student, but the SAO’s organization resource center (Union, Room WG85) lost its funding. The organization resource center was a training facility for new student organizations.

It will likely fall under the authority of the Student Association from now on. The result is more money, but less office space.

McGinnity said he isn’t sure of the direction SA is going with their funding decisions, but also understands that SA has to make difficult decisions in regards to who gets funding and who doesn’t.

“I always try to put myself in other people’s shoes on things like these,” he said. “They have tough decisions to make and everyone can’t always get what they ask for.”

The SAO is currently looking for a new business manager and a new adviser, as well as two student employees. There are currently three student employees and no full-time professional staff working in the office.

McGinnity is technically not full-time with the SAO, as he splits time between Student Activities and the Dean’s office.

What this means for student organizations is that they’re going to need to get all requests for events in early, as the understaffed office won’t be able to handle last-minute requests. Requests should be made to Student Activities for things like outings or guest speakers at least six weeks in advance.

McGinnity has plans to fill the open job slots, and could do so before the semester is done.

For more information on Student Activities, visit their office in the Union, Room 350.

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