Changes to SAFC Funding Model
FAQ
Changes Since the Original Presentation Based on Group Feedback
Contact Information
- Groups will all be placed into initial tiers which will all have individual caps, and will then move between tiers on a year-to-year basis based on a combination of how efficiently they spent funds and how much they spent overall.
- The top tier will be a performance tier which the SAFC will have a subjective screening process for (no groups will be placed in Tier 1 originally).
- No group will be placed in a tier that has a lower cap than the average of their highest semesters of spending in past years
- If a group spends efficiently they cannot drop tiers, so groups that do not spend every semester or even every year can still advance tiers over time
- Initial group placement will be completely objective and will be done using a set formula–no group was treated differently than another
- Groups that spent money in only two semesters before this year (ie. as close as the 10-11 year) were given the benefit of the doubt and treated the same as groups that spent consistently over the past 4 years
- Efficiency will not be incorporated into initial tier placement–only the amount that groups spent
For the full powerpoint explaining the tiered system, please visit: http://assembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What tier is my group in?
Initial Tier Placement has not yet been officially determined by the SAFC. Official calculations will be determined if/when the Tiered System Proposal is approved by the Student Assembly. At that point, the Commission will place groups in their initial tiers after finalizing spending data for the current semester using the process outlined in Frequently Asked Question #2. If you have specific questions about your group’s spending history you can e-mail safc@cornell.edu.
2) How will groups be placed into tiers?
Groups will be placed into their initial tiers based solely on the amount of SAFC funds they have spent in recent history. The last eight academic semesters, from Fall 2008 to Spring 2012, will be taken into consideration in this initial determination. Groups will be given the benefit of the doubt in that only the largest three semesters spending will be averaged to arrive at a number. This number alone will be used to compare groups on a relative basis and place them into their appropriate tier. Should your organization have specific questions or concerns regarding the specifics of their groups spending history, please direct them to safc@cornell.edu.
3) My group only spends money during one semester, can I still move up tiers?
Yes. The system is designed to accommodate for groups under these circumstances. While the efficiency spending percentage should be achieved in both semesters, a group needs to hit a specific tier spending percentage in only one semester to move up. Thus a group spending money in only one semester would receive the necessary tier score to move up in that semester, even if they spent little or no money in the other semester that year (as long as both semesters met the efficiency requirement).
4) Can I appeal my initial tier placement?
No. The initial tier placement procedure cannot be appealed as it is purely objective calculation and based on official spending data provided to the SAFC by the Office of the Assemblies.
5) What if a speaker cancels on me? Will this affect my efficiency score?
This concern has been directly addressed in the newly proposed SAFC Guidelines. If a speaker were to cancel on a group and that group was worried about this event potentially affecting their various spending percentages, this group would be able to file what will be called a “Special Cancellation Request.” This document will enable groups to remove select funds from the tier and efficiency spending calculation in light of circumstances that were unforeseen at the time of application. This document will simply be required to be submitted within three weeks of the organization becoming aware of the inability to fulfill the expense. At this point, the Commission will determine whether or not the circumstances were unforeseen. Groups who wish to appeal a “Special Cancellation Request” decision handed down by the SAFC will be eligible to appeal this decision to the Student Assembly Appropriations Committee.
6) Doesn’t this proposal encourage groups to spend more money than they need?
While some groups may be incentivized to apply for more money than they need with the intention of advancing tiers, this system will inherently force groups to be more accountable and accurate in their budgeting and spending processes so that all money applied for is ultimately spent. Approximately 20% of the money allocated to groups each semester goes unspent. The Tiered System is designed to ensure that funds are allocated and spent by the groups in the most efficient manner possible. The SAFC is of the belief that encouraging more money to be spent on undergraduate programming is ultimately a benefit to the Cornell Community.
7) Is there a possibility my group can receive less after tier placement than my group has historically spent?
No. The criteria used in the determination of initial tier placement and the exact amount of the initial tier caps will be designed in such a way that no group will be eligible for funds that are less than the average of its best three semesters of spending in the past eight. In this respect, every group’s initial tier placement will accommodate its past demonstrated need.
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Timeline
- February 24- Regulation Room Experiment Announced
- April 11- Student Assembly update e-mail with SAFC PowerPoint released
- April 12- Presentation to Student Assembly
- April 16- Open Forum
- April 19- SA Meeting to discuss changes since last week (G08 Uris)
- April 26/May3- Anticipate SA Vote
Changes Since the Original Presentation Based on Group Feedback
Tier and efficiency spending percentage set at the beginning of the academic year (by the first day of classes) and cannot be changed throughout the academic year (§3.1.6.4 and §3.1.5.6)
- Added ability to appeal a Special Cancellation Request (§6.1)
- Added a decrease in price as an example reason for submitting a Special Cancellation Request (§3.1.6.6)
- Added negotiated rates discrepancy as an example reason for submitting a Special Cancellation Request (§3.1.6.6)
- Added price quotes requirement
o Local Events (§9.2.5)
o Travel Event (§9.3.5)
o Durable Goods (§9.4.5)
o Publication (§9.5.5)
- Added §11 to detail documentation for price quote, letter of intent, and travel documentation
- Extended the amount of time that groups have to submit a Special Cancellation Request from 2 to 3 weeks (§3.1.6.6)
- Added §12 to detail Negotiated Rates
- Added §13 for SAFC calendar
- Added caps for publicity, lodging, and meals for local events (§9.2.6)
- Added cap for travel events outside 400 miles (§9.3.6)
- Added negotiated rate for local events (§9.2.6)
- Added negotiated rate for travel events (§9.3.6)
Contact Information
All SAFC inquiries about your group’s spending history, clarifications for how the new system will work, feedback on the new system, or other questions should be sent to safc@cornell.edu.
However, if you do have comments or concerns we would strongly encourage you to attend the Student Assembly meeting on Thursday, April 19th in G08 Uris Hall at 4:45 PM.
Members
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