Associated Students, Inc., board members approved a measure put forth byPaul Ueckert, ASI executive director of Finance, to establish guidelinesfor a championship fund at its March 14 board meeting.

“It is $10,000 a year set aside for travel expenses for nationalcompetitions,” Ueckert said. “The need is out there.”

In his proposal, Ueckert stated that each recognized organization shouldreceive no more than $1,000 per fiscal year.

“In the past few years a group was given $2,000,” Ueckert said. “Thesenew guidelines allow for greater disbursement of the funds.”

The guidelines also point out that a club or organization can be fundedfor no more than two years.

“This is supposed to be for the cases where clubs are not aware theywill be making the competition,” Ueckert said. “If they are aware, theyshould be able to budget for it.”The guidelines also state that only direct travel expenditures will befunded.

This funding includes airline tickets, vehicle rental and gas. Theexecutive director and the vice president of finance of ASI will decidethe level of funding for each request based on the scheduling of thenational competition.

This championship fund will be drawn from the Dollars for Organizationsand Clubs/ Student Education and Leadership grants pool.

These two organizations consider grant requests and make fundingdecisions for ASI.Carol Ackerson, ASI executive director, explained who is eligible forthe championship funds.

“It does not need to be for a sports club or competition,” Ackersonsaid. “There are a lot of people who are eligible for this funding.”

Rita Tyk, ASI board associate, talked about who has applied in the past.”Most clubs that apply are sports clubs,” Tyk said. “Although, thesefunds are not limited to sports clubs.”

Tyk also explained the importance of the championship fund.

“The funds are for clubs or organizations that qualify for nationalcompetitions,” Tyk said. “It helps to get the school’s name out there.”

Along with this approved measure, ASI approved the appointment ofAllison Carrao as director of Arts and Letters.

The board also approved the appointments of Veronica Lerma and Hur-KhanAllen to the DOC/SEL committee and Angela Gomez as vice chair ofDOC/SEL.

The next ASI board meeting is scheduled for March 28 in the FoothillSuite of the University Union at 3 p.m.