Hillsdale’s Young Americans for Freedom and College Republicans will ask Student Federation for a total of $7,000 to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., at the federation meeting today.
Last year 75 Hillsdale College students attended and the requested amount was $1770 because the Michigan GOP and donors provided funding. This year 126 signed up with a waiting list of between 40-50 names. Because so many students want to attend CPAC, the cost of attending the conference has risen substantially. To attend the conference, students will pay $50 per person, which is the same amount as last year.
College Republicans President senior Sam Holdeman said the cost of the buses is driving up the overall costs this year.
“The Michigan GOP has always fully funded the bussing, but this year they didn’t. Buses are $5,500,” Holdeman said. “We talked about another way to get to D.C. with vans, but there’s all the liability issues.”
Seniors Nathan Brand and Holdeman agreed the bussing is what makes the trip so expensive this year. Last year YAF and College Republicans only needed one bus to attend CPAC, but this year they need another bus. With less funding from the Michigan GOP, they are struggling to collect the necessary funds. Part of the problem is the sheer number of students attending.
“The Michigan GOP will only cover up to a certain amount,” Brand said. “They will only cover so many spots [on the buses].”
Requesting funds from Student Fed is a last resort for YAF and College Republicans. Brand said YAF has been reaching out to donors and the college administration for help with funding the trip.
“We’re constantly receiving checks. We’re tackling every option we’ve got,” Brand said. “We sent out a letter to parents of everyone going on the trip in case money doesn’t turn out.”
Holdeman said Americans For Prosperity and the Hillsdale County Republicans have been “very generous” in providing support for the trip.
Director of Student Activities Anthony Manno said Student Fed will be in a difficult position today because while the federation has a large discretionary budget, YAF and College Republicans are asking for a substantial amount.
“I do think it’s a good opportunity for the 126 people who are going, but at the same time it is a huge amount they’re asking, so I think that should be clarified,” Manno said. “Student Fed money is to be used primarily for on-campus events.”
Manno pointed out that CPAC is an off-campus event for a select group of people, requiring those students to miss two days of class.
“I believe Student Fed money should be focused on capital improvements,” Manno said. “If we didn’t have rollover, we wouldn’t fund [the trip] fully.”
At the same time, Manno said, YAF and College Republicans are in a difficult position and Student Fed does have plenty of rollover to spend.
“I do support both sides,” he said.