MSA gives $70K for service programs

University student tuition dollars and a new community service board will combine to provide $70,000 for service projects.

As a result of a ballot question passed by students last spring, each student pays an additional $1 fee to fund community service.

The Michigan Student Assembly voted this semester to create a board of seven members, chaired by one MSA executive and one person not affiliated with MSA, to direct the funding allocations.

MSA President Mike Nagrant said the importance of having one MSA representative and one non-MSA member on the board is to have a dual perspective on key issues. The MSA representative should hold the assembly accountable, while the other student should be someone who has knowledge and background in community service, Nagrant said.

"This is a brand new project," said LSA sophomore Heidi Lubin, who co-chairs the board. "We just got this massive effort to make sure people are aware that it's there."

Nagrant said he hopes the funding commitment by MSA will spark more interest in working on community service projects.

"I think you can never have too much of a good thing," Nagrant said. "(The funding) will hopefully encourage as much initiative in that area as possible."

Lubin said the board's purpose is to support community service activities.

"We are hoping to encourage collaborative groups on campus that will have services that benefit both the community as well as the University," Lubin said. "We are not funding the student group but the specific project."

Nagrant said the grants will allow groups to spend more time on projects instead of on fundraising.

"They will be able to concentrate on doing more service work and less time on fundraising," he said.

LSA junior Eric Allenspach said the student group in which he participates has applied for $20,000 in community service funding.

"We are applying for starting a coalition Habitat for Humanity spin-off," Allenspach said. He said the group is a coalition of student groups like Project Serve, Panhel, the Interfraternity Council and other organizations.

Allenspach said Habitat for Humanity turns away volunteers because of their abundance. If the spin-off group received funding, University students would receive priority to work on the projects, he said.

Allenspach said with MSA's contribution, this community service project's goal is approachable. He said the competition between service groups is fierce because there is a large demand for funding. Allenspach said the committee makes the process easier.

Allenspach said that "last year the possibility of getting a fraction of the money for a house was a long-term goal."

The board is currently accepting applications from community service groups on campus. The deadline for applications is Friday.

There is a workshop tomorrow from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Michigan Union to give applicants a chance to voice their concerns and questions by filling out an application.

10-22-97