VSA distributes capital funds

Larissa Pahomov Contributing Editor

On Friday, Oct. 29, the Vassar Student Association (VSA) announced the recipients of the Capital Budgeting Fund for Fall 2004. Out of 50 applications, 40 groups were awarded parts of the $8,025 total budget.

The purpose of the fund is to provide VSA groups with items that would not be affordable on their annual budgets, and that benefit the entire campus community. Groups that apply must specify what they wish to purchase and justify the purchase.

“The fund is for essential needs that were either broken or out of date, or for programming,” said VSA Treasurer Andrew Caselli ’05. Once the groups apply, their last two years of programming and fundraising are considered, as well as the amount in their annual budget.

Capital Budgeting is supported by the College Endowment.

The total return for this year is $23,732, so the budgeting allotment for the spring will be about twice the amount given out this fall.

As a rule, the Capital Budgeting Committee does not award money towards computers, printers, or digital cameras. Instead, they encourage groups to request items to share with others.

The largest sums went to dorms for entertainment equipment. Raymond House received $600 for a new big-screen TV and Cushing received $500 for a new pool table.

Other groups received money for items that are meant to serve the entire community. Vassar Bikes received $400 for a bike-specific mechanical tool kit. The Vassar Jewish Union received $200 for a picnic table.

The majority of the grants went towards books and DVDs. CHOICE, Student Activism Union, and Eating Disorders Reachout Service all requested materials for their educational libraries.

Also, AIDS Education received $30.97 for a copy of the recent HBO production of “Angels in America,” and the Non-Human Students Organization received $100.84 for the complete Season 4 of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” on DVD.