“UWM is alienating minorities because that is who most of these resources affect. The SFC is making UWM Abercrombie-and-Fitch-friendly.”

Staff at the 8th Note Coffeehouse have threatened to protest if the Student Association Senate votes in agreement with the recent Senate Finance Committee decision that deemed several organizations ineligible to receive money from the SFC budget.

According to SFC bylaws, the 8th Note Coffeehouse, along with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Center, the LINKS Peer Outreach and Mentoring Center, the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) and the UWM Dance Team did not meet the requirements to acquire monetary assistance.

The organizations were notified by e-mail on Saturday, Jan. 6, to attend an 8:30 a.m. hearing on Sunday, Jan. 7, to discuss their ineligibility for segregated fees. The SFC voted that the aforementioned groups were ineligible of receiving funds by a 7-5 decision.

The SFC is made up of two senators from the College of Letters and Science, one senator from the School of Business Administration, one senator from the School of Education, one senator from Graduate School, two at-large senators and two senators from the smaller colleges. One of these senators was unable to participate in the final voting process.

SA Vice President Jon Tingley said he wants to assure people that the decision-makers do not have an agenda toward the groups and that the decisions are strictly based on financial numbers.

“I highly doubt these groups and centers will be shut down because of this decision. There are other ways to fund these groups,” Tingley said.

The 8th Note previously received funding through SAC, but since its budget kept increasing every year, it filed with the SFC more recently. Since being funded by the SFC, the 8th Note has been able to offer more services to students such as additional band performances, seating and security, Thomas said.

Staci Thomas, the financial officer for the 8th Note, voiced her anger toward the SFC.

“UWM is alienating minorities because that is who most of these resources affect,” she said. “The SFC is making UWM Abercrombie-and-Fitch-friendly.”

Thomas also said the 8th Note is planning on protesting outside Chapman Hall, where Chancellor Carlos Santiago’s office is located. There is no date set as of yet. Thomas said 8th Note staff want to make sure they have the right permits and organize with fellow organizations that were deemed ineligible for financial assistance.

The Women’s Resource Center is the oldest group that was deemed ineligible, with 13 years spent serving the university community. WRC officials said that getting financial support has never been a problem.

“Words never seem to describe completely what the center provides to students,” said Cathy Seasholes, WRC director. “The work that is done is so individualized for everyone that walks through the door.”

Representatives from the LGBT Center and the dance team both declined to comment until after the appeal process has taken place.

Groups and centers can apply for funding again next year.

A formal statement explaining why the organizations were deemed ineligible will be presented on Jan. 28. The Senate will then vote on the issue and if SA President Samantha Prahl approves the Senate’s decision, the appeal process will begin.

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