By James S. Young

Funds are rapidly dwindling for student groups hoping to petition the student government for money.

The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate balked at giving the full $772 requested by members of the Vagina Monologues production on Tuesday. Instead, the Senate allocated $85 to the group for publicity banner alterations.

Only about $400 would be left in the Senate's unrestricted account if the Senate had allocated the entire amount the production requested, said Kris Ankarlo, USG vice president.

"It's the first week of the semester and to be reducing our funds by this much is very, very bad," said Town Sen. Mike Kelly.

Town Sen. Sean Miller was also worried about having such a low amount of money in case of an emergency.

"We don't know what could happen ... in case something breaks in the office," he said.

Senate President Bridget Van Osten said low funding for student groups does not set a precedent, and groups can still apply for USG funding.

"Because we funded so many student groups last semester, we don't have as much money to give [them now]," she said.

Senate provided about $10,000 to student-run events last semester.

Town Sen. V.A. Lopes, who co-sponsored the Vagina Monologues legislation, said the event had to turn away 500 people last year. But she also said the event needs extra publicity because it is running a week earlier this year.

The Vagina Monologues did not ask Senate for funding last year. But student groups often petition USG for funding if University Park Allocation Committee (UPAC) does not provide all the money requested.

UPAC's funds, which come mainly from the student activity fee, are also low at this point of the year.

UPAC Chair Russell Martin said he did not know when the group's funds would be gone, but he said travel funding for groups is "basically" exhausted.

Last year, UPAC exhausted its $2.1 million to give student groups in early March.

A Penn State Pulse survey from November indicated 58 percent of students do not feel informed on how the $43 student activity fee is used. Fifty-three percent said they would vote to increase the fee.

Van Osten said student groups can also raise money through academic departments or fundraising.