A mystery to most, the Student Activities Commission(SAC) holds an integral position for the viability of most clubs at Johns Hopkins. Under the umbrella of StuCo, with the funding from the University, the executive board of SAC is charged with allocating university funds to approved student groups on campus.
"SAC is an organization that has become associated with mostly funding student groups with money. However, we actually have jurisdiction over not only the creation of a new group on campus, but arbitrating the disputes that sometimes occur between different groups," said Chairman Alice Li.
Officially speaking SAC manages university money that is to be divided between all groups in SAC and those wishing to join, advises StuCo as to which new groups should be approved, reviews new groups' constitutions, and provides advice and leadership for all student groups.
The standing committee of SAC consists of a chairman, assistant treasurer, president of the student council, eight SAC liaisons, secretary, and two members of the Office of Student Involvement.
As SAC is a branch of StuCo, the Chair of the SAC board, Alice Li, is also the Executive Treasurer of StuCo.
The president of StuCo, Atin Agarwal, also sits on the board representing the student council and the four classes (freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors) at JHU.
In addition, The Office of Student Involvement is closely linked to SAC with two of its associates formally advising SAC .
James Almond, the financial advisor for Student Involvement manages SAC accounts and is a direct advisor for SAC. Jeffrey Groden Thomas, director of student involvement also serves on the board.
Li explained the process by which groups are approved for funding. "After a group presents its plea, the Board will discuss and finally vote on the issue. The Board really bases its judgment on the Green Book [SAC Policies and Procedure Manual], the group's proposal and presentation, and the views of the Board members," said Li.
Director of Student Involvement Jeffrey Groden Thomas said, "Our standards are fairly easy."
Managing money, however, can be a sticky process. "The SAC is not in the most enviable position, as its job is to dole out money as fairly as possible...There are always some that see the SAC as being stingy with money, or there are those that have a conception that the University has an unlimited amount of money," said Groden Thomas
Li explained SAC's reputation saying, "in the past year, SAC has somewhat been an organization shrouded in mystery. We get groups who are afraid of us, groups who don't know about us, groups well...let's just say the whole funding policy has everyone confused and bewildered."
Recognizing these issues, SAC has a full agenda for the 2005-2006 school year.
"Our number one goal this year is to be more visible on campus. Our second goal is to be more accountable to organizations making sure that they are successful. We plan on following up on unregistered groups and keeping track of newly formed groups," said Groden Thomas.
Moreover, Li explained, "This year, we are going to work hard to erase the perceptions of yesteryears."
Specific plans for increasing visibility include following more closely the progress of groups, improving usefulness of the SAC web-site, and facilitating openness between groups and the board.
To carry through with these goals Li said, "It is going to be hard, but with the requirements set for attending the mandatory General Assemblies and Financial Workshops, I hope people will take notice of SAC because frankly...we fund over 170-plus groups on campus."
