The Roman Catholic Foundation-UW-Madison received significant budget cuts for the '09-'10 academic year by the Student Services Financial Committee Monday.
Many of the cuts came out of funding for service trips. RCF-UW planned at least seven, but according to some members of SSFC, they didn't seem to match up with the eligibility of the foundation's mission.
Although RCF-UW originally received the money for the trips because there was a demand from students, SSFC Chair Kurt Gosselin said simple demand is not justification enough.
SSFC was not opposed to making compromises. While a motion to cut $3,780 from the winter break service trip was put into effect, $450 was restored for registration fees.
I have concerns that these programs themselves are not cost effective, but having the registration fees serves as a compromise,"" Gosselin said.
Service trips to Philadelphia, St. Louis, Birmingham, New Orleans and Kansas City will all receive funding for registration costs, but zero aid on all other fronts.
SSFC representative Darren Knox felt it was a matter of cost versus benefit. He said it wasn't fair to use the segregated fees just to benefit a few students.
According to RCF-UW pastoral intern Andrea Eddy, service trips and retreats are essential to the proper functioning of the group, especially those designed specifically for leaders.
""I think there's a real danger when you cut the opportunities for the leadership because many of our leaders are already stretched incredibly thin,"" Eddy said. ""I think there's an opportunity on these retreats that goes far more than other retreats in a deeper sense.""
Mini courses about family planning and social teachings of the church also received cuts because the demand for them wasn't as high as RCF-UW previously anticipated.
The theater-arts program, which aims to produce shows like Godspell, received a motion to decrease funds as well, citing that it seemed more entertainment-based than educational.
Other student organizations at the meeting like Sex Out Loud, took part in eligibility budget hearings, which will be voted on Thursday.
