The Student Services Finance Committee discussed employing a controversial fund that would allow student groups to hire non-university-employed staff members Thursday.
SSFC Chair Sarah Neibart said the committee could amend the Campus Services Fund to allow the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) and other student groups to contract non-university employed staff members.
The fund was created last year to allow the Associated Students of Madison Student Council to provide students with services it deems important that are not already provided on campus.
Upon its creation, the fund sparked controversy because student groups said its creators did not reach out to enough students on campus, adding it would give ASM too much power.
But Neibart said the fund is the only means through which a student group can contract staff members from outside the university.
"I really thought this was the last possible option I could take, however I do think this is the best possible option at the time," Neibart said.
Some SSFC representatives said they were concerned the CSF would allow the committee to rule based on the beliefs and ideologies of the groups, and illegal practice.
But Neibart said legal advisors assured her the fund was legal.
The committee will further discuss amending the CSF Thursday.
Also at the meeting, Neibart said she was disappointed SSFC did not come to a decision on the Multicultural Student Coalition's appeal for funding Monday.
"I had given my committee members a lot of time to prepare and I had the process laid out very straightforwardly," Neibart said. "I asked them if they had any questions and no one even came up to me about it."
SSFC also passed the Student Leadership Program's funding at $68,751 after minor alterations to the group's requested budget.
