SENSOG (Student Senate Organization Grant)

The finance committee of UDM Student Senate assists registered student organizations in funding events by providing Student Senate Organization Grants (SENSOG). SENSOG funded events are an essential part of the character of UDM, because they increase campus vitality by assisting organizations in funding activities and events that reflect the diversity of the student body. Additionally, they encourage student organizations to develop leadership and gain exposure for their organization. Thus Student Senate encourages registered student organizations to seek funding for events by completing the SENSOG Funding Application.

SENSOG Policies & Procedures

Eligible student groups/sports clubs may apply for funding on an event-by-event basis. This means that a group requesting funding must submit an application form and all of its required components every time they are holding an event in which they desire financial support from SENSOG.

I. Eligibility Requirements

• The student organization must be registered as a student organization with the Student Life Office.

• The student organization must be open to all students of University of Detroit Mercy.

• The student organization's event must be open to all students of University of Detroit Mercy.

• The event must be organized and planned by UDM students for members of the UDM community, primarily students.

• The student organization must have a mission or purpose that is congruent to the mission and purpose of the University and Student Senate.

• All organizations must attend the annual Leadership Conference sponsored by Student Senate in order to be eligible for funding. 

• SENSOG is one of many sources for funding events. It is expected that student organizations seek other avenues of funding including: dues, support from university departments, fundraising, etc.

• If an organization is planning to request SENSOG funding, the organization cannot advertise their event in any way, sell tickets, or enter into agreements with businesses (either written or verbal) until they have met with the Finance Committee and have been approved for SENSOG funding.

• If an organization has received funding from SENSOG, all advertisements: signs, posters, and publicity must have recognition that it was funded by SENSOG.

• The organization must have the president or leader of that organization sitting on the President’s council, and must be in attendance to all meetings in order to receive SENSOG funding.

II. Conferences

• SENSOG does not provide funding for Conferences.

III. Co-Sponsorship

• If a request for funding is from more than one student organization, all student organizations involved must meet the eligibility requirements.

IV. Funding Process

• It is important to remember that all contact between SENSOG and student organizations takes place via email. Thus, it is essential to check your email regularly when your organization has submitted an application for review.

• Completed applications which meet all requirements have to be presented to the Finance Committee by at least one member of the student organization(s) requesting funding.

• Members of the student organization are responsible for presenting the funding request to the Finance Committee. Moderators may not be present at the Finance Committee meeting.

• If the student organization does not give a funding request presentation at the Finance Committee meeting the organization forfeits the right for funding along with the right to appeal.

• The Finance Committee determines how much to allocate the student organization after:

  • The student organization's funding request presentation.

  • The event as well as the organization meet all eligibility requirements.

• The funding request is then forwarded to the Student Senate President, who can either:

  • Concur with the Finance Committee’s decision, forwarding the funding request to Representative Review.

  • Veto the Finance Committee’s decision requiring the Executive Board to reconsider the funding request. (Any vetoed decision is not subject to Representative Review).

• If the funding request is approved by the Student Senate President, the Student Senate Vice President of Finance then presents the decision to the full Senate in a spending bill.

  • The Funding Request can be subject to the Representative Review.

  • If there is no call for Representative Review, the decision is finalized by simple majority vote.

• Representative Review:

  • Senate members have the right to question the VP of Finance upon review of the spending bill before it's passed by vote of the Senate.

  • If an organization does not agree with the decision of the VP and Finance Committee, the organization has the right to an appeal before the final spending bill is passed by the Senate.

• Appeal process:

  • All appeals must be submitted via email to the VP of Finance within three days of the Finance Committee's decision.

  • Once the appeal has been received, the organization will re-present all information regarding the event and funding purpose to the entire Student Senate the week following the notice of the Finance Committee's decision.

  • Once the organization presents to the entire Senate the representative will leave and allow an open discussion of funding the event by the Senate.

  • Voting will take place. A simple majority will approve funding for the event. (Finance Committee members and the VP of Finance are not allowed to vote).

  • The Representative will then step in and receive the NEW decision of the entire Student Senate.

• Request over $1000

  • The Finance Committee can recommend funding for any student group for up to $1000 per organization/per event/ per month. Requests exceeding that amount can still go before the Finance Committee, which will make a special recommendation to the Executive Board of Student Senate who then will render the final decision on ALL REQUEST OVER $1000.

V. Deadlines for Request

• SENSOG applications and all its required components are due one month before the event occurs.

• Finance Committee meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month. SENSOG funding applications are due the last Friday of every Month by 5pm.

VI. Obtaining Funding

• Once funding request is approved, the student organization will be reimbursed for items purchased for the approved event.

• Organizations must submit the SENSOG Organization Reimbursement Form attaching all receipt(s) to the VP of Finance. No copies of receipt(s) will be accepted. Only original receipt(s) will be accepted.

• The receipts or invoices are due within 15 days after the event has taken place.

• All items purchased with SENSOG funds must be consistent with the policies and procedures in the UDM Student Handbook.

• SENSOG funds cannot be used for the purchasing of alcohol, drug paraphernalia, shirts, trips, conferences, gasoline bills or any other prohibited item.

• SENSOG funds cannot be donated to any organization, inside or outside the university.

• Any tangible items purchased with SENSOG funding are property of the Student Senate and must be stored in the Student Senate office.

2008 SENSOG FUNDING APPLICATION

2008 SENSOG REIMBURSEMENT FORM

IMPORTANT SENSOG DATES

APPLICATIONS DUE 

Friday, September 26, 2008 (for September/October events)

Friday, October 31, 2008 (for November events)

Monday, November 24, 2008 (for December/January events)

Friday, January 30, 2009 (for February events)

Friday, February 27, 2009 (for March events)

Friday, March 27, 2009 (for April events)

SENSOG PRESENTATION DATES

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Thursday, April 2, 2009

SENSOG AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT DATES

October 6, 2008

November 10, 2008

December 8, 2008

February 9, 2009

March 9, 2009

April 6, 2009

If you have any questions or concerns please contact us:

Will Myles myleswi@students.udmercy.edu

UDM Student Senate - Vice President of Finance

Aleczander M. Whitfield whitfiam@udmercy.edu

UDM Student Senate - Advisor