A new process for the allocation of stipends -- monetary allotments given to student leaders -- will take effect at Penn State next semester, making stipends available to any student leader in a registered student organization.
Stan Latta, director of unions and student activities, said the process is being revamped to award stipends in the amount of $1,000 each to student leaders selected through an application process that addresses issues like time commitment and financial need.
Vicky Triponey, vice president of student affairs, said the decision to change the stipend policy was made last summer after student affairs was given the power of recognizing student groups and is only now being put into effect because student leaders for this year have already received their stipends.
Latta added that the decision has nothing to do with a demand made by Black Caucus in February for six full tuition stipends for its members.
Calls to the Black Caucus office for comment were not returned yesterday.
The new process replaces Penn State's current stipend allocation system, which distributes 12.5 in-state tuition stipends, worth $10,408 each, annually to leaders of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), University Park Allocation Committee (UPAC), Graduate Student Association (GSA), Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG) and the four Greek councils.
Latta said although the definite amount of stipends will not be known until June, student affairs would like to award 50 stipends per semester in the amount of $1,000 each.
Latta said the approximate $30,000 decrease in the total monetary amount of stipends available for next year is due to rise in tuition, lower returns received on endowments and a decrease in money received from parking fines, which also fund stipends. The decrease of money given in stipends is necessary for the university to avoid using other funding sources, such as tuition dollars, for stipends.
The definite number of stipends will be determined when the unions and student activities department receives its earnings reports from the two endowments and parking fines.
Parking Manager Jean Harris said all money received from parking fines paid by students with registered permits is used to fund stipends, and any unused revenue from parking fines is placed into an endowment fund to collect interest for use in future years.
Harris added that the decrease in revenue generated from parking fines is due to students being more cautious about where they park and more mindful of Penn State's towing policy.
USG Vice President Luke Adams said he does not mind receiving a lower stipend because the changes to the policy will help to clear up some of the rumors surrounding the organization.
"I don't mind the changes that much because now people will not be able to say that we are Graham Spanier's favorites or that we are in this only for the money," he said.
CCSG Governmental Affairs Director Kathleen Streaker, who is applying to become the CCSG President next year, said the possibility of receiving less money has made her rethink her plans.
"I was going to take summer classes, but I can't now because the money I was going to use I now have to put toward next year," she said.
Because the elections of the four greek councils are not held until November, Latta said the councils will still receive one full in-state tuition stipend, their usual allotment, for the fall semester. They will be required to apply under the new system in the spring.
Interfraternity Council President Brian Bertges said he does not mind having to apply for a stipend because the changes are ultimately for the good of all student organizations at Penn State.
Latta said the applications will be reviewed by a committee consisting of students, faculty members and members of the financial aid department. He added that the committee's specific members have not yet been chosen and would probably not be until after May 20, the application's deadline.
