UGS approves funding for VSOs, introduces points system

The Undergraduate Senate (UGS) unanimously passed a funding approval package for $23,805.30 out of $26,079.17 requested in Voluntary Student Organization (VSO) spending, emphasizing that they could not approve funding for purchases that have already been made.

UGS Appropriations Chair David Sengthay ’26 introduced the motion to fund clubs like the Stanford Solar Car Project. 

“I want to help you make your programming a reality. So let’s continue the good work we’ve been doing on this committee and maintain a strong symbiotic relationship between the ASSU and our VSO community,” Sengthay said.

Two of the clubs that did not receive the full funding they requested were Alternative Spring Break (ASB), which received approximately $2000 less than the $7347.58 requested for promotional materials. The Bangladeshi Students Association of Stanford received $100 less than the $770 they requested for Cha Adda. 

VSOs “cannot spend money for [their] programming … until the money is approved by UGS,” Sengthay said. That money is posted into their accounts, he added.

Sengthay said that VSOs who had questions about funding approvals could email him or attend his committee’s office hours.

UGS co-chair Gordon Allen ’26 also introduced a public point system tracker for senators’ progress on initiatives, to be updated quarterly. Points are allocated for duties such as general meeting attendance and progress toward executing initiatives with a minimum amount of points to be achieved per senator per quarter.

“This will provide transparency on how student representatives are addressing [students’] concerns,” Allen said. “The system ensures that the spirit of public service remains at the heart of every senator’s work.”

The Wednesday meeting also included an update from Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU) President Diego Kagurabadza ’25 and ASSU Vice President Divya Ganesan ’25.

Kagurabadza told the Senate he and Ganesan met with President Jon Levin ’94 and Provost Jenny Martinez. In the meeting, they discussed campus priorities, which included campus climate and free speech, the Office of Community Standards (OCS) process, a new physical wellness Ways requirement and subsidizing event spaces like Dinkelspiel Auditorium for VSOs.

Kagurabadza expressed disappointment in the Board of Trustees’ decision not to take action on a proposal for divestment despite support from undergraduate and graduate students.

“I am particularly disheartened because as ‘controversial’ as that motion would be, to see that go disregarded is a real shame,” Kagurabadza said.

Another initiative discussed included campus lighting. UGS Treasurer Jadon Urogdy ’27 said that, in regard to lighting, “the University chooses aesthetics over practicability.” He said he plans to reach out to Lucia Wade of campus planning to discuss campus lighting initiatives.

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