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WISPIRG files funding appeal
Group says status on campus for next year in question
By Ryan Cardarella
“WISPIRG is not a critical service to the university, and I feel that student dollars would be best served elsewhere.”
– Russ Rueden, Student Association president
The Wisconsin Student Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) filed an appeal to the Student Association Senate Finance Committee (SFC) on Feb. 3 in response to the committee’s approval to cut the group’s funding next fall.
The appeal, filed by WISPIRG member Ryan Neibauer, seeks to reopen the funding discussion and restore WISPIRG’s funding.
Problems arose during a Dec. 4 SA Senate meeting when funds were approved and allocated to various organizations including WISPIRG, which has been active at UWM since 1995 and aims to give students the means to address societal and environmental problems.
While the Senate and the SFC approved the allocations, SA President Russ Rueden vetoed the funding.
“WISPIRG is not a critical service to the university, and I feel that student dollars would be best served elsewhere,” Rueden said.
An emergency meeting was held on Dec. 18 to overturn Rueden’s veto, but a two-thirds majority could not be reached.
The appeal claims that the initial meeting was adjourned abruptly with business still on the table.
“We just want a fair shake,” Neibauer said.
Neibauer said WISPIRG cannot function as a student organization without the segregated fees that fund the group.
“This appeal will decide whether or not we are here next fall,” he said.
Rueden suggested that WISPIRG go to the Student Appropriations Committee to apply for funding.
“Frankly, they can go to SAC like all of the other student organizations,” he said.
A date has been set for Feb. 24 to review the appeal, where both sides will get 30 minutes to present their case in Student Court.
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