Student groups who used to receive university scholarship money have seen funding cuts under a modified rewarding process that began this semester.
The new process, meant to offset less revenue from two endowments and parking fees, limits group stipends to $1,000 per student.
Stan Latta, director of union and student activities, said a committee of faculty, students and staff awarded 54 stipends this semester to student leaders after reviewing their applications. However, Latta could not release leaders' names because that information is considered confidential.
The application sought to determine the applicants' goals for their organization, how their leadership opportunity would enhance their educational experience, why it is necessary for the applicant to receive a stipend, and other organizations to which the applicant belongs.
Under the old process, 12.5 in-state tuition stipends worth $10,408 were offered to the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), the Graduate Student Association (GSA), the Council of Commonwealth Student Government (CCSG), the University Park Allocation Committee (UPAC) and the four greek councils.
Despite the potential for significant cuts, most organizations that received more money under the old process said the new one has had no effect on their organizations.
The GSA was the most heavily affected group, losing 92 percent of its scholarship money from last year.
However, UPAC Chair Keyur Shah said UPAC has not been negatively affected by the new allocation policy.
"It really hasn't affected our membership," Shah said. "The change in the stipend policy has not really changed the way UPAC functions."
Shah said he was notified of the policy changes through his UPAC advisers. Last year, UPAC received two-and-a-half in-state tuition stipends, which were divided among five leadership chairs.
USG President Galen Foulke said USG received 250 percent of in-state tuition in the past, which was allocated among eight executive USG members. Foulke would not comment on who, if anyone, received the $1,000 stipends this year.
Foulke said that although the new stipend policy has had an impact on individual members, it does not have an impact on the entire organization.
"We're not in it for the money," Foulke said.
The four greek councils will follow the new system when their new leaders are in office in the spring. Interfraternity Council (IFC) President Brian Bertges said the IFC previously received one in-state tuition stipend, which was divided among the executive board.
CCSG also received money under the old system, but President Kathleen Streaker did not return repeated phone calls for comment by press time yesterday.
Although Black Caucus asked the university last year for six full in-state tuition stipends, group spokesman Darryl Watson would not comment on whether Black Caucus members received any money this year. He did say, however, that he felt the new process does not recognize "the student leaders who do the university a service."
However, several student leaders said they applaud the university for implementing a process that allocates funds to any student leader who applies. Shah said the new process allows all student leaders access to the money.
Bertges said the new process is a fair way for the university to distribute money to "all student organizations that make a difference" and will not have a direct impact on the IFC. He added that he hopes the new process will bring out people who are concerned with their duties instead of the monetary rewards.
College Democrats President Alex Smith did not apply for a stipend this year, but encouraged next year's president to apply because he felt it provided an opportunity for many more leaders to be financially rewarded. College Republicans President Vicky Cangelosi did receive a stipend this year.
"Instead of helping out a few people at Penn State who work hard making it a better place, now it spreads out more opportunities for more students to make Penn State what it is," Cangelosi said.
