One allocation group met another last night in Johnston Commons, when University Park Allocation Committee (UPAC), former distributor of the student activity fee, petitioned the Funding Allocation Board (FAB) for funds for its 2007-08 budget.

UPAC requested $1,382,050 from FAB during the final budget hearing of FAB's inaugural year.

During the hearings, 12 groups requested a total of $3,786,518 from FAB. The board estimates it will be able to allocate $2,720,988 next year -- $1,065,530 less than what was requested -- even if the Board of Trustees approves a $10 per semester increase to the student activity fee this summer.

UPAC used to allocate the money collected from the student activity fee, but the responsibility for allocating big budget items is now FAB's. UPAC will still dispense money to student groups, independent students and any entity on campus that doesn't go to FAB for funding.

Both UPAC Chairman Greg Heleniak, who fielded questions from the FAB board, and FAB Chairman Ellery Loomis said the transition between the groups went smoothly, and Loomis thanked UPAC for making the transition easy.

Despite the smooth transition, Heleniak said he still thinks the board should have more input from students.

"Personally," he said, "I'd like to see it be solely a student decision."

Loomis has said the new board still represents students well.

"We have a very diverse group of students who sit on FAB, and this group will draw upon their past experiences of university life to best represent the interests, with regards to funding, of the student of University Park," Loomis said. "The Funding Allocation Board and UPAC must work together to successfully allocate the student activity fee."

Although the Student Programming Association, another group that requested money from FAB, will allocate money for items like LateNight Penn State and the Distinguished Speaker Series, Heleniak said UPAC exists to ensure "niche groups" on campus are cared for. He estimated that the organization had about 130 programming requests last year.

FAB questioned Heleniak about diversity of funding, groups misusing allocations and assessment of UPAC's success with allocations.

"We want our monies to go as far as they can," said Bob Orndorff, FAB member and the associate director for career counseling and planning.

FAB will deliberate the requests during the first week of April and give it's recommendations to Vice President of Student Affairs Vicky Triponey, who will decide the allocations during the summer.

The Center for Performing Arts and the Graduate Student Association also appeared before FAB yesterday.