The Office of Financial Affairs in the Associated Student Government has helped many students in Registered Student Organizations pay for their activities through funding requests each semester. The OFA is holding a "Brunch and Budgets" event on Feb. 28 for students and RSOs to learn about the funding options available through OFA.

"'Brunch and Budgets' is a practical event where students and RSOs can come to learn about different funding options available through the Office of Financial Affairs," said Danny Moreno, ASG treasurer. 

Th event will feature tables with volunteers who will explain the process of applying for different types of OFA funding - events, conferences, competitions or administrative funds. Students can enjoy free food including donuts, Chick-fil-A breakfast sandwiches and coffee from the Bethel Brew Coffee truck.

Students pay an activity fee of $2.92 per credit hour to provide a pool of money that Registered Student Organizations can request from to help fund their projects, which can range from hosting events to attending conferences. This per credit hour fee, which has been in place for several years, was voted in by students and approved by the Board of Trustees.

"This (OFA) is how we remove a huge financial barrier for student organizations," Moreno said "We've seen a 52% increase in requested budgets this past semester. And with the increase in students on campus, we have seen an increase in the funds available for student organizations. This means we can get more money to those student organizations who apply for the funds."

Moreno, a first-generation college student from Clarksville, Arkansas, is a senior majoring in data science. He discovered the OFA in his first year on campus, which was in 2020 during the pandemic.

"My freshman year was during COVID, and all my lectures were done from my residence hall. I found people that shared my same experiences in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers RSO," Moreno said. "This really helped me find my place on campus. I discovered the OFA and how the group supports students. Now, I want to be the person I needed when I was younger."

The OFA is made of nine voting board members with six proxies and one deputy treasurer and have been meeting once a week each semester.

Alexandria May serves as deputy treasurer in the Office of Financial Affairs. She also found out about OFA in her first semester on campus. "I felt an immediate connection to its mission. I instinctively knew it was where I belonged within the campus community," she said.

"I firmly believe that the Office of Financial Affairs has a unique opportunity to give back to students in a way no other organization can. Because our funding is for all student groups, it serves as a crucial support system for unsupported and underrepresented Registered Student Organizations who may lack access to other forms of funding," May said. "It ensures that these RSOs can secure the necessary funding for their events, conferences, competitions and more, providing them with opportunities to grow and to impact our campus community."

Dylan Reynolds has been on the board for three years and serves as a voting board member this year. He was introduced to OFA in his freshman year as well, and said he wanted to join because he recognized the importance of the mission and the work that OFA does for U of A students.

"The funding proposals that OFA approves for conferences, competitions and on-campus events are vital to providing students with opportunities for engagement," Reynolds said. "Helping student groups to realize their initiatives and contribute to a vibrant and inclusive campus environment is such a fulfilling goal and makes OFA such a critical part of the Associated Student Government."

Not all funding requests are approved for a variety of reasons, but the members of OFA let are letting the organizations know why, so they can create better applications and try again.

"If we deny a funding request, we then explain why and what they can do to be successful next time they make a request," Moreno said. "We are trying to meet the students where they are at."

Students interested in finding out more about OFA and how to apply for funds for their student group should attend the Brunch and Budgets event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, on the Arkansas Union Mall.