Group’s relief funds staying put

The UNM Japanese Language Club tried to withdraw funds it raised from its ASUNM account to give to the Japan relief effort, but discovered doing so would violate of the New Mexico State Constitution.

The Anti-Donation Clause, article IX, section 14 of the New Mexico Constitution states that, “Neither the state nor any county, school district or municipality shall directly or indirectly lend or pledge its credit or make any donation to or in aid of any person, association or public or private corporation.”

Because of the law, University policy prohibits organizations from donating funds in ASUNM accounts to any charitable or political organizations.

George Gorospe, president of the UNM Japanese Language Club, said the club wanted to donate to Japan with money from fundraisers the club sponsored to support itself. He said that the organization wanted to withdraw funds that didn’t come from the state, but University policy prohibits donating funds in a University account.

“The students at the (Student Government Accounting Office) told me very quickly that as a student organization we could not donate our money because of the University’s restrictions,” he said. “We were unhappy that we could not donate our self-generated funds to the New Mexico Supporting Japan Organization.”

Every semester, Gorospe said the Student Activities Center holds workshops for student organizations that outline ASUNM account restrictions. But he said he was unaware those restrictions applied to money in organizations’ accounts that they had earned.

Yvette Hall, senior accountant at the Student Government Accounting Office, said when student organizations deposit money into their UNM accounts, the money technically becomes state funds and falls under the Anti-Donation Clause.

“So what we’ve told student organizations in the past is that if they are going to have any fundraising efforts for any charitable or political causes that they should arrange it with the charity to have people donate directly to them, instead of funneling it through the student organization account at the University,” she said.

However, Gorospe said the group held a separate bake sale that raised almost $1,000, and it plans to sell Japanese sweets and street food at the Office of International Program Studies International Festival on Thursday. Proceeds will go to the New Mexico Supporting Japan Organization.