Student Activities
Funding Student Activities
Funding Sources
The Budget Cycle
Student Leadership / Funding Student Events & Activities
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Funding Student Activities
Finance modules for student clubs and affinity groups are embedded in WhitLife, a campus branded app and online portal “to Whitman student organizations, events, and engagement opportunities.” Via this portal students manage their budgets, request funds, and reconcile expenditures. To request a staff account as a club or group advisor, please reach out to Student Activities.
Funding Sources
DI Student Clubs and Affinity Groups are aligned with the ASWC bylaws, and follow the same protocols. They are differentiated from ASWC student clubs by their funding source, which derive from various endowments and allocations under The Division for Diversity and Inclusion. ASWC student clubs which receive 7% of the ASWC endowment (which as of 2019 was 600k).
The Budget Cycle
In March/April, student finance managers submit budget requests for their groups and clubs. Once approved, Student Affairs re-sets the allocations in Whitlife, just prior to the Fall Semester.
Club Symposium orientation takes place the first weekend in September, during which students receive Budget Manager Training. Finance permissions are based on attendance at this orientation.
Budget Manager Training - Club Symposium
At the beginning of the academic year, Student Affairs organize a Club Symposium (typically an all-day retreat in Reid Campus Ballroom), during which student leadership receives training on managing their budgets. The president OR treasurer of a registered club or organization are required to attend. Clubs or organizations that fail to attend will NOT be able to (1). spend club monies (funded through ASWC or other offices), or (2). make reservations to host events on campus. Various staff members also attend and provide updates and collaboration. A sample agenda from a previous Club Symposium can be viewed here.
It is highly recommended that club and group advisors watch this training video, which is an overview of how to access and utilize Whitlife to request funding for student activities, and reconcile purchases.
“The purpose of this training is to ensure that everybody who has control or responsibility for club and organization monies knows how to spend it, knows who to ask if they are unsure of spending and knows the expectations around appropriate documentation as well.” — Juli Dunn, Senior Associate Dean of Students, Whitman College Student Affairs