Courtesy | Student Federation
At its Nov. 4 meeting, the Student Federation approved funding requests for two club sports and held nominations for upcoming officer elections.
The Women’s Soccer Club and the Ultimate Frisbee Club both requested money for various club activities and needs, but did not receive full funding.
Tristan Wertanzl, coach of the WSC, said his club had never requested funds from the federation before, but was making a one-time request for $2,000 “with the goal of creating championship pedigree.”
Wertanzl pointed out that while the WSC is just a club sport – because Hillsdale College does not have an intercollegiate women’s soccer program – it is the highest level of competition available for women soccer players on campus.
“We do love to win and take it kind of seriously,” Wertanzl said.
He said the club faced several challenges over the past few seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but is hoping to come back stronger and possibly even “make history.”
The federation approved $1,800 for WSC to pay for league fees, travel-related costs for tournaments, and gear.
The UFC was also requesting funding for the first time, having asked for $2000.
“The Hillsdale College Ultimate Frisbee Club provides students with the opportunity to play a great sport in a welcoming, but competitive, environment,” said junior Allie Spaccarelli, president of UFC.
The federation approved $880 for the club to go toward the tournament expenses of the UFC travel team for this semester, but under the stipulation that it applies for club sport status. This status would allow the club to receive an additional $500.
“We are applying the funding provisionally and in good faith that they will apply to be a club sport in accordance with the stipulation,” federation representative Anthony Latropoulos said.
Spaccarelli said UFC has some reservations about applying to be a club sport because of the requirements that come with club sport status, but that it’s something the club would consider.
“We are incredibly grateful for the funds awarded to us by the federation,” Spaccarelli said.
The federation has $23,670 left in its discretionary budget for the 2021-2022 school year.
“The federation doesn’t exist merely to grant clubs money whenever they ask, but to create incentive structures for clubs to ensure that the federation’s money is most efficiently allocated,” federation treasurer Isabella Maciejewski said. “The federation is meant to supplement the efforts of clubs.”
Following the funding proposals, the federation rules committee proposed 17 revisions to the federation’s bylaws. These revisions were the first revisions proposed since 2017, making minor rule changes and removing unnecessary bylaws. All the revisions were passed unanimously.
The federation also received nominations for officer positions that will be open in the upcoming election period. The current vice president, Thomas MacPhee, was the only nominee for president.
The election process for the federation has also begun for independent students wishing to join. Interested students must submit their petition containing 10 student signatures by Friday, Nov. 12. The election will run from Nov. 15-19, with all students eligible to vote.