Student Organization Community Advancement Grant Fund (SOCAF)

Label: SGAB-65-XXX

Date Introduced: [Month Day, 2025]

Author(s): Senator Trapolino

Sponsor(s): [If applicable]

Committee: Appropriations

Draft: First Reading

Student Organization Community Advancement Grant Fund (SOCAF)

Whereas, Article III, Section A of the SGA Constitution vests the Senate with authority over the Student Government Annual Budget and empowers it to create and allocate funding mechanisms for student organizations;

Whereas, large and high-impact Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) significantly enhance professional development, campus engagement, public service, and student retention, yet face inconsistent access to discretionary funding;

Whereas, a centralized and merit-based grant program promotes equitable distribution of funds, fiscal accountability, and measurable outcomes aligned with the mission of the Student Government Association;

Therefore, be it enacted by the Senate of the Student Government Association of the University of Houston:

That a dedicated funding mechanism titled the Student Organization Community Advancement Grant Fund (SOCAGF) is hereby established to support eligible Registered Student Organizations.

Be it further enacted, that the program shall:

1. Establish a standing budget line titled “Student Organization Community Advancement Grant Fund (SOCAGF)” within the SGA Operating Budget beginning in Fiscal Year 2025–2026 and maintained in subsequent fiscal years, subject to Senate approval.

2. Appropriated a minimum of $2,500 to SOCAGF for FY 2025–2026, sourced from either:

   • the SGA reserve fund; or

   • reallocation of existing discretionary line items, not exceeding $1,000 from any single line, as detailed in an accompanying Appropriations Committee report.

Source Line‑Item (FY‑25)	Current Appropriation	Cut	New Line
Senate Projects & Initiatives (Line 6B)	$ 3,000	‑ $ 500	$ 2,500
Council of Presidents Conference (Line 11A)	$ 1,000	‑ $ 500	$ 500
SGA Banquet & Inauguration (Line 14A)	$ 4,000	‑ $ 500	$ 3,500
Coogs Vote Campaign – One‑Time (Line 2D)	$ 7,000	‑ $ 500	$ 6,500
Marketing Materials & Advertising (Line 9D)	$ 1,500	‑ $ 500	$ 1,000
Total Reallocated		$ 2,500

Be it further enacted, that eligibility for SOCAGF funding shall be limited to Registered Student Organizations that:

1. Are registered and in good standing with the Center for Student Involvement (CSI);

2. Maintain at least sixty-five (65) active members, as verified by CSI at the close of the preceding spring semester;

3. Propose a project or initiative that advances campus community engagement, professional development, or public service.

4. Agree to all reporting and compliance requirements established under this Act.

Be it further enacted, that grant limitations shall include:

1. A maximum award of $2,000 per organization per fiscal year;

2. No more than forty percent (40%) of SOCAGF funds are awarded to organizations housed within the same academic college in a single fiscal year.

Be it further enacted, that a Student Organization Funding Oversight Committee (SOFOC) is hereby established for the administration and oversight of SOCAGF:

1. The Committee shall consist of five (5) voting members, including:

   • The SGA Director of Finance, who shall serve as Chair;

   • Three (3) Senators appointed by the Speaker of the Senate;

   • Two (2) at-large students appointed by the Speaker of the Senate.

2. The Committee shall:

   • Review and evaluate SOCAGF applications using a published and uniform rubric;

   • Vote to approve, deny, or request revisions to applications;

   • Monitor compliance with funding conditions and reporting requirements;

   • Refer cases of non-compliance or misuse of funds to the Appropriations Committee or the Attorney General, as appropriate.

3. The Chair shall have authority to:

   • Convene and preside over Committee meetings;

   • Certify application completeness and enforce statutory review timelines;

   • Authorize disbursement of funds only after Committee approval;

   • Issue compliance notices to funded organizations.

4. The Chair shall not have unilateral authority to approve, deny, or reallocate funds.

Be it further enacted, that:

1. Funding decisions shall be issued within fourteen (14) calendar days of a completed application submission;

2. Approved funds shall be disbursed to the organization’s CSI agency account or designated account within seven (7) calendar days of approval.

Be it further enacted, that grant recipients shall submit a Post-Project Report within thirty (30) calendar days of project completion, including:

1. Attendance or participation metrics;

2. A brief impact narrative.

Failure to submit the required report shall render the organization ineligible for SOCAGF funding during the next funding cycle.

Be it further enacted, that this Act shall take effect at the beginning this academic semester upon passage by the SGA Senate and signature by the Student Body President.

LET IT BE ENACTED THAT the Student Government Association of the University of Houston establishes the Student Organization Community Advancement Grant Fund, ensuring equitable access to funding for high-impact student organizations while promoting fiscal responsibility, transparency, and measurable student benefit.