Statement of Purpose:

  • The AAS Campus Life Fund is comprised of the budgetary surplus from prior semesters and should be dispensed as soon as possible after the semester in which the surplus was accrued, subject to Senate approval in accordance with the following directions.
  • The value of the fund is equal to the budgetary surplus minus 20% of the current semester's operating budget, which will be retained as buffer for the following semester's discretionary and master general dispensation.
  • The AAS Campus Life Fund will sponsor actionable projects, initiatives, and events offering a clear and significant benefit to campus life or the Amherst College community. To be sponsored, proposals must contain:
    • A complete proposed budget
    • A plan for implementation
    • Justification for their benefit to the College community or campus life
    • An estimate of how many students will be impacted, and how they will engage
    • An approximation of costs over time and who will pay for subsequent costs
  • Where reasonable, sponsored projects must use the most economical options that fulfill the project's stated functional goal.
  • For long-term programs, the fund will only guarantee the first year at the time of approval.

Process:

  • Workshop proposal with a member or appointed representative of the Budgetary Committee.
  • Submit proposal to the Treasurer.
  • Treasurer circulates proposal internally to double-check viability.
  • Budgetary Committee votes to send proposal to Senate.
  • Proposal authors present to Senate, then Senate votes to approve or reject proposal.

 

Presentation format:

  • 3-minute presentation, with additional time at discretion of the Vice President.
  • 5-minute questions, with additional time at discretion of the Vice President.
  • Roll-call majority vote of the Senate to approve or reject proposal.