Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) have a number of resources available to them. Planning for your organizational programs and events may require funding. This page will inform you of the types of funding, how to request funding, and responsibilities.

Student Activity Fund (SAF)
Responsibilities of the SAF
Sources of funding
Eligibility for Funding
Request Funding
Appeals

Student Activity Fund (SAF)
The Student Activity Fund (SAF) has been established to promote activities planned by student organizations that enhance the quality of student life at the lakeside campuses. The Student Activity Fund is guided by Jesuit principles, which challenge students to strive for excellence, become people in service to others, foster out-of-classroom learning, develop talents through discovery and reflection, and be concerned for each person. To this end, the numerous opportunities for interaction and involvement among students, faculty, and staff provided by the Student Activity Fund support the intellectual, social, physical, emotional and spiritual development of each member of the Loyola community.

The SAF is comprised of student development fees paid each fall and spring semester by full-time undergraduate students at Loyola University Chicago Lakeside campuses. The SAF is administered by Student Activities & Greek Affairs. The funds are allocated by the Unified Student Government Association Allocations Committee. Student Activities & Greek Affairs advises this group. Student development fees collected from Mundelein College, graduate and professional students are administered by their respective college or school Dean’s office. All funds allocated to Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) are deposited into the RSOs University account. These funds are subject to the rules and procedures stated within the Student Organization Handbook and outlined on the SAGA web page as well as the policies and procedures of Loyola University Chicago. It is the responsibility of each organization's current officers and advisor to abide by all Student Activity Fund policies and procedures as set forth, as well as any applicable University policies and federal, state, or local laws.



Responsibilities of the SAF

SAGA Responsibilities
The dispersion authority of the Student Activity Fund is controlled by Student Activities & Greek Affairs after allocations have been made by the USGA Allocations Committee. A representative of Student Activities & Greek Affairs is responsible for advising this group. Student Activities & Greek Affairs is also responsible for authorizing budget transfers and expenditures on student organization accounts, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Student Activity Fund, and to support student organizations’ financial planning. The Vice President for Student Development has jurisdiction of the Student Activity Fund program. The Vice President for Student Development reserves the right to give final approval on all allocations of the Student Activity Fund.

USGA Responsibilities
The Allocations Committee is a student government committee, comprised of Unified Student Government Association (USGA) members who are elected by their constituents in the USGA elections, that allocates money collected from the Student Development Fee each semester. The Allocations Committee Chair is the primary student contact for student organizations for comments/questions regarding how to acquire funds. This person can be reached by appointment. The Allocations Committee Chair, the Chief of Student Organizations, and the Chief Financial Officer also work with Student Activities & Greek Affairs to change SAF policies through discussion and presentation of legislation to USGA.

The Allocations Committee operates when classes are in session. The Allocations Committee:

• Reviews and acts on individual or co-sponsored budget/funding requests from all eligible registered student organizations
• Votes on all requests related to the Student Activity Fund unless otherwise noted
• Provides information to all organizations on approved methods for budgeting, handling revenue funds and expenditures, and the criteria for which the funds may be used
• Makes policy recommendations to Student Activities & Greek Affairs

Sources of Funding

SAF: There are two types of funding requests RSOs are eligible to submit:

1. Semester Budget Request (SBR) - Semester budgets are requests to provide SAF funding for an organization’s semester programs. The Semester Budget Requests process occurs each spring and fall semester in which requests are made for the following semester.
2. SPOT Funding Requests - SPOT Funding Requests will occur twice in each semester. RSOs may submit two SPOT funding requests per hearing.

UID:  The Unity in Diversity Fund (UID), originally called the Arrupe-King Fund, is a fund established in honor of Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Father Arrupe was elected the 28th Superior General of the Jesuits in 1965 and was known for his dedication to the cause of social justice in his religious life. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights activist who fought for the freedom, equality and dignity of people of all races. The Unity in Diversity Fund is intended to support and cultivate educational events, programs, activities and educational opportunities that specifically address social justice and human diversity programming for the Loyola community (students, faculty and staff). Through this opportunity, the University aims to consolidate and advance multicultural education and to increase the overall campus climate for diversity. 

For specific funding deadlines and additional information regarding the application process please visit luc.edu/diversity.



Eligibility for Funding
RSOs who wish to request SAF funding must first be in good standing with Student Activities & Greek Affairs. In order to be in good standing, RSOs must:

• Re-register annually each spring with Student Activities & Greek Affairs. Provide SAGA with an updated member roster annually and any officer changes throughout the year
• Send the treasurer and one additional e-board member to the SAF Treasurer/Budget Workshop annaually
• Have no outstanding financial lapses (e.g. missing receipts, incomplete payments)
• Have resolved any SAF policy violation(s)

All RSOs in good standing will receive $100 in start-up funding each semester to be used for copier or food charges.

*Groups who failed to attend required annual workshops and/or did not re-register by July 31st will be ineligible for $100 in Start Up Funding, will not be permitted to participate in the fall Student Organization Fair, and will have their account frozen until re-registration is complete.                  

Request Funding
‌RSOs may request SAF funding through a Semester Budget Request or SPOT Funding Request. SAF funded events have a number of requirements and restrictions. Details on filling out funding requests are covered in the SAF Budget Workshops, but additional help is available throughout the year in the Office of Student Activities & Greek Affairs or during Allocations Committee office hours.

 All SAF requests must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• The event or program must be planned primarily for Loyola University Chicago undergraduate students and be open to the general University community.
• The request is appropriate based on the mission and goals of the organization.
• The SBR or SPOT request is submitted to the Allocations Committee by applicable deadlines, using the appropriate official forms and proper procedures.
• An undergraduate organization member (preferably the listed contact person) must attend the Allocations Committee meeting and be prepared to speak about the event and answer questions.
• The event must fall between the first day of class and the last day of class during the semester. No funding is available for events over breaks, holidays, or finals (see University calendar).

 The following types of requests for SAF funding are prohibited but not limited to:

• Any event or program NOT open to the general LUC undergraduate community;
• Memberships or dues, private lessons, or payment of salaries (i.e. ongoing payments);
• Non-current expenses (e.g. bills from a previous year);
• Expenses related to conference attendance (e.g. travel costs, registration, etc.);
• Food at regularly scheduled meetings or organizational receptions and dinners exclusive to that organization;
• Personal clothing unless it is considered integral to the production of an event (i.e. costumes, but not club t-shirts);
• Athletic uniforms or team equipment (Club Sports must contact Campus Recreation for funding);
• Political activities or activities sponsored by an outside political entity (see Guidelines for Political Speakers for more details, LUC.edu/policy);
• Any type of straight contribution in any form or manner including political or religious donations;
• Residential maintenance or repairs;
• The purchase of alcoholic beverages;
• Taxes of any kind (except hotel service taxes or other non-sales related tax required by law);
• Activities that are exclusive to the membership of a particular organization (e.g. retreats);
• Rental of off-campus venues that will only be used for a business meeting, athletic practice or internal purpose;
• Newsletters or other subscriptions;
• Ad space in the Loyola Phoenix;
• Any costs related to or in support of raffles, illegal gambling, or other illegal activity;
• Activities and/or programs which advocate a position contrary to the University's Jesuit, Catholic tradition.

Please visit www.orgsync.com for an online Funding Request Form.

Appeals
RSOs may file an appeal of the Allocations Committee ruling on their funding request(s). The appealing organization must submit a petition within 5 business days of the decision to SAGA and the USGA Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This petition must include reasons for the appeal, any pertinent documentation, and a copy of the original budget request. If the RSO has made fundamental changes to the budget proposal, the proposal will be re-submitted to the Allocations Committee. In the absence of any fundamental changes to the petitioning RSO’s funding request, it will be placed on the agenda for the next Senate session. Members of the petitioning RSO will be allowed to attend the Senate meeting in which their request is heard; however, only one member of the petitioning RSO will be allowed to speak on behalf of the RSO and answer any questions from the Senate. Any sustained appeal will be communicated to the RSO and SAGA within 24 hours of the Senate’s vote by the Chair of the Allocations Committee.

Grounds for Appeal of an Allocations decision

An appeal based on procedural error will consist of the RSO proving that the Allocations Committee failed to adhere to its policies. The Senate must first determine whether the Allocations Committee did in fact deviate from its policies.  Should this be sustained, the Senate as a whole will determine whether or not to fund the RSO in full. 

Line item appeal consists of a RSO disputing a particular line-item in an approved funding request. The RSO may appeal if the Allocations Committee reduced the allocation below the amount requested for a particular budget item, contending that the current allocation is insufficient to cover the cost of the event. The Senate will only rule on whether or not to allocate the full amount of the RSO's requested funding.