The Student Association is slated to dole out roughly half of the money from the student fee account – more than $315,000 – this week to fund initial student organization operational costs.

The largest allocations of the bill, which will be voted on at a Senate meeting Tuesday, will go to graduate student umbrella organizations, as well as Greek-letter, political and religious groups.

SA Sen. Julie Bindelglass (CCAS-U), chair of the finance committee, said using only half of the student fee funds for initial allocations will leave an unprecedented $319,000 for student organization programming throughout the year.

“We were able to set aside approximately 50 percent of the budget for co-sponsorships, something we believe will add tremendous amounts to student life on campus,” said Bindelglass, a sophomore. “At the end of the day, we hope every organization will be happy and we will continue to work with them during the year to make sure that happens.”

Last year, $277,222 was spent on initial allocations. However, because of the student fee increase passed in February, the finance committee was able to allocate an additional $40,000 this year.

The proposed budget shows that a majority of student groups will receive larger initial allocations than last year.

Brand Kroeger, chairman of the College Republicans, said despite the fact that his organization will not receive a large increase, he is satisfied with the proposed $10,000.

“We are confident that the finance committee will carry through on its promises to give out a large number of co-sponsorships,” said Kroeger, a senior.

While the CRs received a $1,000 increase, the College Democrats are expected to receive $2,477 more than last year – bringing their total allocation to $10,000.

Bindelglass said the increase for the two organizations is due to the finance committee’s decision to make the CRs and CDs umbrella organizations this year. Both organizations will be accountable for funding the events of smaller political student organizations.

Cory Struble, president of the CDs, said the $10,000 allocation is sufficient to meet the organization’s needs.

“Ten-thousand dollars will meet our operational needs as an umbrella organization, and I believe the co-sponsorship process will be the fairest way for us to seek additional funding for programmatic costs,” said Struble, a senior. “Julie Bindelglass and the finance committee have set about to create the fairest system for all organizations, small and large alike, and I think she made the best possible decision to set aside half the money for co-sponsorships so that smaller organizations are not left out.”

While large organizations received an increase in their initial allocation, many smaller groups received increases as well.

Kyle Stearns, president of the Public Policy Student Association, said he is happy with the $150 increase his organization received.

“I hope that PPSA receiving more SA allocations is representative of what the SA is choosing to do with the fee increase,” said Stearns, a graduate student. “I also hope we can anticipate more funding through the co-sponsorship process with the SA in the future because of this fee increase.”

In order to create the proposed budget, Bindelglass and the finance committee took a survey of how other market-basket universities allocated funds to student organizations.

Bindelglass said a full report will be released after the allocations budget is approved.