HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY monday Issue february 14, 2011 FRESNO STATE
COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU
SERVING CAMPUS SINCE 1922
SAME-SEX COUPLES WILL REQUEST MARRIAGE LICENSES TODAY By Allie Norton The Collegian It may not come as a surprise that one of the busiest times of year to obtain a marriage license is Valentine’s Day. However, with Proposition 8 still in legal limbo, not every couple is granted the right to marry. P r o p. 8 a m e n d e d t h e California constitution to recognize only marriages between a man and a woman, only to be struck down by a federal court. It is currently in the process of being appealed. In conjunction with Freedom to Mar ry Month, Mar riage Equality USA created a nationwide protest to demonstrate the effect of Prop. 8. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples in Fresno will meet outside the County Clerks Office today to request marriage licenses even though they know they will still be denied. “It’s really a visual event,” Jason Scott, Fresno county chapter leader for Marriage Equality USA, said. “ What we do is bring in same-sex couples who would like to be married and bring them down on Valentine’s Day to highlight the fact they can’t get married.” Julia Scott, who has no relation to Jason Scott, is the president of the United Student Pride Club at Fresno State. Julia Scott believes that Valentine’s Day is the ideal day for the protest. “Since it’s a day focusing on couples and relationships, it’s an appropriate day,” Scott said. “It’s a good time to think about
everybody’s version of love.” On the day of the protest, same-sex couples and supporters will gather outside the County Clerks Office at noon. Each couple will give a brief description on why they would like to get married and what marriage means to them. The couples then enter the County Clerks Office to request a marriage license. A county clerk will then deny See PROTEST, Page 3
Illustration by Michael Uribes / The Collegian
ASI funding still available for organizations By Carlos Perez The Collegian Despite tough economic times, Associated Students, Inc. has more than $35,000 available in its budget to fund activities of student-run clubs and organizations. As of Feb. 7, ASI allocated $43,625.85 to student-run clubs and organizations at Fresno State, leaving $36,374.15 in its budget. For the 2010-11 school year, ASI has funded 56 on-campus events that were hosted by student organizations and clubs. Students might assume that due to constant budget cuts and a national economy that is in a recession, ASI would be suffering from low funds as well. The ASI budget for complementary financial support to student clubs and organizations, however, has increased since the 2009-10 school year. For three of the past four years, ASI
has spent more than was in its budget. In 2007-08, ASI spent $91,412 on club funding, with a budget of $85,000. The following year, 2008-09, ASI had a budget of $80,000 but allotted $141,771 to student organizational activities. Last year, however, ASI spent $48,940 with a budget of $57,739. While the budget for club financial support is still lower than in 2007, this year’s budget increased to $80,000, as a higher enrollment rate was anticipated. “There’s a positive cor relation between student enrollment and funding,” ASI Office Manager Cynthia Dolan said. “Since we expected a higher enrollment rate for [spring], a budget increase was proposed and approved.” According to the ASI office, students were coming in during the week, assuming that there were no opportunities left to apply for funding.
In order for an organization to be eligible for ASI funding, it must first be recognized by Fresno State as an official student club. The organization must then submit a signature agreement to ASI, providing up-todate records of club officers. Once the organization is officially recognized and accepted by the university, the club must submit a completed funding application to the ASI office. Student clubs can request up to $2,000 in funding from ASI for one academic year. Applications requesting more than $1,000 must be submitted five weeks prior to the event date, or three weeks prior if the amount is less than $1,000. Approval of funds is at the discretion of the ASI Finance Committee. Organizations and clubs are required to submit receipts and invoices for all money spent putting on the event. If these documents are sub-
mitted to ASI within 45 days after the event, the expenses will not be covered and funds will not be granted. Clubs and organizations are able to use the money they receive from ASI, if it fits into five criteria: performance fees, facility charges, promotion and publicity, supplies needed for the event, and another category that primarily pertains to registration fees for sports clubs. “We want to enhance campus culture and provide students the opportunity to experience a wide range of activities,” ASI Vice President of Finance Cesar Sanchez said. “Without ASI funding, many of the clubs on campus wouldn’t be able to hold events.” Most student organizations are dependent on ASI funding. While funds can be brought in through student dues and club fundraising, ASI funding can play a large factor in the See FUNDING, Page 3