Funding - Student Engagement – Syracuse University

What is a Finance Board

The Student Association Finance Board, led by the Comptroller, is responsible for managing, delegating, and auditing the usage of the student activity fee. With a maximum of 12 members, the board meets weekly to discuss the allocations of funds through the Semester Allocations, Advanced Allocations, the WAND fund, and non-RSO forms. Members vote on the budgets submitted through these processes and audit the organizations that request funds to ensure proper usage of these resources. These members are elected by the Student Association Assembly to serve annual terms. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are currently open. If you want to join the Finance Board, below are the general requirements.

40 undergraduate signatures
1 letter of intent stating why you are interested in joining and what you will contribute to the Finance Board

For those interested in apply, review the Finance Board Information Sheet.

What is the Comptroller?

The Comptroller is a returning Undergraduate student that is an executive officer of Student Association. They are responsible for overseeing all fiscal processes using the Student Activity Fee and management of the Finance Board. The Comptroller has independent authority over forms including the Contingency form and the Expenditure form.

The Comptroller serves as a non-voting leader regarding Semester Allocations, Advanced Allocations, and the Non-RSO form. This individual is also in charge of the fiscal agent training sessions, the Advanced Allocations hearings, and any information regarding the Student Activity Fee. Like other executive officers, the Comptroller is elected by the Undergraduate Student Body in the Spring elections and has an annual term. If you are interested in running for the position of Comptroller, below are the requirements.

⁃ 300 undergraduate signatures

⁃ 1 page letter of intent

⁃ Participating in the executive debate

More information will be sent in February regarding executive positions to all Undergraduates syr.edu emails.

Current Finance Board and Comptroller

Alexis Leach - Comptroller

Alexis is a junior, Accounting and Business Analytics major. She also serves as a Whitman Student Ambassador, University Senator representative, and is a member of the Food Recovery Network.

Deji Owoseni - Finance Board Member

Deji Owoseni is a junior student majoring in Economics and minoring in Finance. Outside of Student Association, Deji is a Renee Crown University Honors student, and entering his second year as Finance Committee Head of the Black Student Union, a Student Leadership Intern at the Mary Anne Shaw Center for Public and Community Service. He is also a member of the Economic Student Association and the Cuse Men’s Club Soccer Team. 

Tim Phelps – Secretary

Tim is a junior, Environmental Resources Engineering student. He serves as one of three representatives to the Student Association Assembly from ESF. Additionally, he is a Senator in the Mighty Oaks Student Association (MOSA). Outside of student government, he is also the Outreach Coordinator for the Bob Marshall Club.

Book a meeting with the Finance Board here.

The Funding Processes

For Recognized Student Organizations

- Semester Allocations
  - The first deadline for the fall semester is September 6th at 11:59 a.m., followed by weekly submission deadlines of Fridays at 11:59 a.m. until funds are depleted. Please be aware that when submitting fund requests through this form, they are intended for programming specifically within the semester for which they are being requested.

- - - Apply for all event needs through one form. See examples below of items that fall into this category. The finance board will consider requests within reason and relevance for the success of your event.
      - Space rentals
      - Artist/Speaker Fees
      - Conference Registration
      - Catering
      - Decorations/Event Supplies
      - Transportation

- Contingency Request Form
  - Use this form only when the cost of a previously funded budget/line item has increased, or there is an unexpected cost now added to your budget.
- Expenditure Request Form
  - Use this form when requesting to move funds from already funded budgets, or to spend miscellaneous funds.

- Advanced Allocations
  - The Advanced Allocation application opens one time per semester and is designated to be used for items that will be utilized in the following semester. All funding requests approved through Advanced Allocations are final and more funding will not be allocated for the same order or event in the following semester.

- - Section 1: Apply for Section 1 funding for the fundamental items of your request. See examples below of items that fall into this category.
    - Space rentals
    - Artist/Speaker Fees
    - Conference Registration
  - Section 2: Apply for Section 2 funding for the supplemental items of your request. The maximum allocation of each Section 2 request is $9,500.00. The finance board will consider requests within reason and relevance for the success of your event. See examples below of items that fall into this category.
    - Catering
    - Decorations/Event Supplies
    - Transportation
- Appeals

For Non-Recognized Student Organizations/Individuals

- - Non-RSO Form 
    - This form is to be utilized by individuals or groups who are not recognized RSOs. This is only to be utilized as approved. Please note that the cap on this funding is $5,000 for items and event related necessities. Pease consult with Student Engagement Staff and the Comptroller (or just Student Engagement staff if you prefer) before submission. The deadline for submission is at noon, followed by weekly deadlines of Fridays at noon until funds are depleted.

Fiscal Codes

Click here to access the most current version of the Fiscal Codes.

Fiscal Agent Training

Fiscal Agent Training is required of all organizations interested in requesting funding from the Student Association Finance Board. Listed below are the available dates for Spring 2024.

Tuesday, January 16th: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 18th: 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, January 21st: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Fundraising Processes

Submit this form if your RSO is interested in fundraising. Once the submission is received, a link specific to your RSO will be generated. This link will be connected directly to your funding account affiliated with the Student Engagement office and can be shared and displayed as a way to collect funds. This is the only endorsed method of fundraising for RSOs registered under the Student Engagement office.

Access the RSO Fundraising Page Here!

Looking to give back to a RSO at Syracuse University? Visit the RSO Fundraising Page to find links to individual RSOs that are actively seeking donations!

Important Semester Dates

Fall Semester Allocation

First Submission Deadline: Friday, September 6th at 11:59 a.m.
- Reviewed at 4:30 p.m. during the Finance Board Meeting
- Presented on following Monday to Student Association
Budgets submissions will not be reviewed on October 11th or November 8th for University scheduled breaks.
Semester Allocations Tentative Close Date: November 15th at 11:59 a.m.

Fall Advanced Allocations

Opens Monday, September 16th at 12:00 p.m.
Closes Friday, November 1st at 5:00 p.m.
Hearings are held at various times based on the availability of the Finance Board from Monday, November 4th - Friday, November 8th. Voting for Finance Board occurs on Friday, November 8th - Sunday, November 11th.
First Assembly vote occurs on Monday, November 11th.
Appeals process is open from decision release on November 13th - November 20th.
Appeal votes are deliberated on November 20th. Final vote will be presented to the Assembly on December 1st.

Tier Changes

Opens February 19th at 12:00 p.m.
Closes April 12th at 12:00 p.m.
The Finance Board will vote on Friday, April 12th, and decisions ill be released on Monday, April 15th, during the Student Association Assembly.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I hear about my Semester Allocations decisions?

Review the Semester Allocations timeline below.

How do I view the decisions made?

You can view these decisions through your Cuse Activites RSO portal under "Finance" and through the publicly announced decisions at SA meetings. SA meeting minutes should be published here.
How can I access the Non-RSO Form if I am not affiliated with an organization on campus?

View our access guide for a step-by-step tutorial on how to access the Non-RSO form through 'Cuse Activities.