BuzzFunds aid student orgs

Auxiliary Services has published guidelines for organizations seeking funding from the department's BuzzFunds.

Financed through the sale and licensing of official Tech merchandise, BuzzFunds are a collection of monies made available by Auxiliary Services to applicants from any Auxiliary Services department or chartered student organization, for use towards a major program or event.

The availability of BuzzFunds was established roughly two years ago after the completion of a lengthy lawsuit involving the issue of infringement on the Buzz logo. "We had a lawsuit that lasted for three or four years.During that time.everything went to pay legal bills.so for several years we didn't have any programs because we didn't have any money," said Rosalind Meyers, associate vice president of Auxiliary Services.

With the lawsuit finally over, the money that had been going towards the payment of legal fees was again available for use by the school. Sting Break and the costs involved with it are given first consideration in the allocation of these licensing proceeds. The rest of the proceeds are then divided between the Athletic Association, the Alumni Association and Auxiliary Services.

While BuzzFunds have been around for over two years now, their availability has been little publicized to the community as a whole.

"We tried to get the word out," Meyers said, by speaking with top student leaders and advertising for the program.

The two largest projects in terms of monetary contributions that are funded by BuzzFunds are programs that lie under Auxiliary Services: the IMPACT Scholarships and Emerging Leaders, two programs that amount to roughly $80,000 a year.

According to Meyers, Auxiliary Services has also had a long precedence of funding multicultural programs in conjunction with the Office of International Education, especially for those students living in married student housing.

In 2003-2004 spending year however, eight other programs and events not affiliated with Auxiliary Services were able to benefit from BuzzFunds contributions.

Included in the list of beneficiaries are Georgia Tech Dance Marathon, Tech Beautification Day, Up With the White and Gold, Red Carpet Day and Sophomore Summit.

BuzzFunds were also given to Relay for Life to pay for the screen that showed the Final Four men's basketball game, as well as Six Flag's Ramblin' Night to help pay for bus transportation.

"When students have had a large event, they've known to come for money," Meyers said.

With the publication of an official set of guidelines on how to apply for BuzzFunds, Auxiliary Services has been working to expand the level of awareness on campus of the availability of these funds. "With the publishing of the formal guidelines, I think it is getting more attention."

Meyers was wary of putting a dollar value on the amount of funds that are available, due to the funds' dependence on sales of Tech merchandise, and the varying nature of Tech's consumer base. However, she put the yearly dollar amount available, after accounting for the IMPACT Scholarships and the Emerging Leaders Program, at roughly $25,000. "That's a nice healthy amount," Meyers said.

Criteria for the allocation of BuzzFunds, which have been somewhat vague in the years before, are now spelled out in new guidelines, available on the web at www.importantstuff.gatech.edu.

Eligibility criteria for organizations, the allocation process and timeline are also clarified in the document. The guidelines specify that the funding is for "major projects," and while actual numbers are now detailed, the precedents set by previous programs and events necessitates that future programs and events funded should be of a large scope, involving or benefiting a large portion of Tech's population.

Meyers also stressed that the funds "cannot take the place of regular sources of funding.it's an enhancement." It is also not meant for " routine programming, but for special things that happen.and that reach a large number of students on campus."

So far this year, no new organizations have submitted requests for funding, though repeat requests have been made and granted. Meyers warns that organizations should not depend on BuzzFunds for funding, and having alternate funding sources is one of the criteria considered for applicants. "As you know, the more obligations [to fund organizations] you have, the less discretion you have for funding new things."

Applications must be submitted to Meyers at least one month before the event is to take place, and must include details of program's budget and the expected impact on the community. Applications are reviewed by the Auxiliary Services Communications Marketing Team, and the final determination is made by Meyers.

Programs and events must be in "good taste" and fundraisers will not be considered.