Ujima - Collective Work & Responsibility Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 1 - January 11, 1974

Collective Work & Responsibility/ published by the Black Students' f reedom Alliance vol. I no. 1 January 1 1, 1974 EMU ADDITIONAL FUNDS PROPOSED for SGIA Shortly before school recessed for Christmas vacation, the Board of Gover¬ nors voted to establish the Supplementary Grant-in-Aid program for the economic sufficiency of many of the low income stu¬ dents of LMU. The budget was set at $9,999 as such is the spending ceiling of the BOG without the popular concent of the student body. It has since been proposed to hold an election for an additional $10,000 so as to include more students in the program and to maximize the grants to $300. Alfredo Magallanes, chairman of the Election Committee, disclosed that last year the program operated on a lim¬ ited budget of $20,025 which was granted to 111 students. The administrative ad¬ visors were Sister Yvonne Rushton and the Director of Financial Aids, Mr. Joe Bednorz. In retrospect of that program, during the open forum on campus, Sister Rushton emphasized that "A sincere ef¬ fort was made to see that the funds were directed to students with the greatest need. A major criticism shared by the members of the committee was that the limited funds prevented a large number of students from receiving grants. Upon speaking to Joan Conley, it has been disclosed that this year' s e- lection concerning SGIA will take place on January 15, 16, & 17. When asked what the issue would be, she replied that the issu^ as she understands it, is that of allocating an additional $10,000 to the program. She then referred me to a member of the Election Committee or to contact a BOG member because there may be something else to be con¬ sidered. That something else to be consi¬ dered was explained by BOG chairman, Raul Mijares: "The issue is a two- prong isue where it takes in considera¬ tion the allocation of the funds, contingent to the administrative proceedure. If the students like the procedure, there should be no problem." Joanie has made avail¬ able to me a list of the administrative procedures which read as follows: A. Students seeking money must request an application form from the SGIA Comm. B. Students upon receiving the applica¬ tion must complete it and submit it to the Financial Aids office from whom the SGIA Comm, shall then receive it. C. Each applicant must also have a P.C.S. form on file with the Financial Aids office. D. The committee shall then interview all" applicants who - under these set forth guidelines - still meet the criteria. E. The committee shall then deliver a grant based on the qualifications of the applicant according to Roman numeral II of these qualification guidlines. (Ro¬ man numeral II is the section listed as Qualification for Applicants with in the guidelines pamphlet for the administra¬ tion of SGIA) F. All applicants shall be notified of the decision to the committee. While reflecting the student body' s general attitude of concern for proper administration of the program, Raul says, "Having faith in the students I see no rea¬ son why the program shouldn't go through. 1!