Deep Pockets: NYU Student Government to Receive $1 Million Extra Annually

In partnership with the Division of Student Affairs, NYU Student Government will receive approximately $1 million annually in addition to its current operating budget beginning in the fall 2023 semester.

NYU’s student government will be $1 million richer starting next semester thanks to a recently approved grant from the university. The annual fund will be separate from the regular budget of the Student Government Assembly, which operates similarly to the budget of other student organizations and will be used to meet the various needs of students on campus.

The grant, tentatively named the Initiative Fund, will be overseen by NYU’s Office of Student Affairs, which is responsible for student resources and programs. Ron Hall, student government chairman, said Thursday he hopes to have the money released by the start of the 2023-24 school year so it can be used as soon as possible.

“This new funding could change how we conduct our advocacy work at the SGA,” Hall said. “If there’s something student-focused that we think could be good for students, that allows us to kind of put money into it.”

Each spring, the SGA participates in the annual university-wide budget discussions, but currently has no other way to request funding.

“The creative vision for this initiative rests with the SGA,” Hall said. “This was a proposal for student affairs that we made after reviewing our funding requests. If we want to add 12 printers across campus, we now have the funds to do so.”

Moving forward, the hurdle facing the SGA is the development of a system of guidelines to ensure easy access to incoming funds and effective mobilization. Student Affairs will hire a new program manager to help inform the student government of general needs using data collected at the request of students.

“We’re really just instructed to try to organize and come up with a way, system or structure where we can access that money,” said Jordan Hubbard, who chairs the Global Student Council, which represents NYU Abu Dhabi students. and Shanghai. campuses and its teaching places. “We want to make sure we do this in a more equitable, diverse and inclusive way.”

Hall said the new funding will enable student government to be more productive. He also said the fund could potentially be used to improve access to abortion pills and menstrual hygiene products on campus, adding that the structure could help determine student demand and the project’s budget.

The SGA hopes to use the time before the program launches in the fall to take action on several key issues once funding is received. What they will be is yet to be decided.

Also at the meeting, Yvonne Erazo, a newly hired NYU administrator who serves as Director of Basic Student Needs, introduced herself to students and talked about her new role, which includes overseeing access to mental health and wellness services, stable housing, and food security. . Ezaro said she is looking to improve access to student resources by concentrating them in one place.

Contact Cora Snow by phone [email protected]