Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE), a student organization that builds and races Formula One cars, announced their intention to withdraw their charter from Associated Students of the University of New Mexico during the Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night.
The future of FSAE’s funding came into question when Vice President Emily Wilks announced on Sep. 19 that ASUNM was investigating if FSAE was in violation of the lawbook.
In a statement signed and read by FSAE’s project manager Gabriel Brown during the public comment section, FSAE said, “While the organization of the SAE has remained consistent since our initial charter with ASUNM, it appears that our respective missions are no longer in agreement.”
The seven members of FSAE present at the meeting left immediately after reading their statement.
Finance Committee Chair and FSAE’s sponsoring Senator Madelyn Lucas said FSAE gave her no indication they intended to withdraw their charter.
Wilks said that the situation was “super inconclusive right now.” She said she was in the process of getting clarification since student groups are not chartered through ASUNM, they are chartered through the Student Activities Center. ASUNM is responsible for doling out money, via budgets and appropriations, to student organizations charted by Student Activities Center.
FSAE has received over $200,000 through their budgets and appropriations over the last 15 years according to the Student Governing Accounting Office. This semester FSAE received a budget of $21,005.
Director of Communications for ASUNM, Brendon Gray, released a statement that said, “We are grateful to (F)SAE for communicating their wants and their commitment to collaboration and professionalism through this process.”
The Finance Committee also sent over $11,000 of appropriations to Full Senate to vote on next week.
Lobo hockey was approved for $3,608 after being failed two weeks ago. The UNM chapter of the American Nuclear Society was approved for $1,257. Deviate, a Christian organization, was approved for $1,742. LoboTHON was approved for $1,817.
Brothers Leading and Cultivating Knowledge was approved for $240. Men’s Ultimate Frisbee was approved for $1,088. Undergraduate Anthropology Society was approved for $1,179. Circle K International was approved for $581.
Nepali Student Association’s appropriation was failed on a 1-4-1 vote. Lucas said the appropriation was failed because “this committee doesn’t feel comfortable with funding things that aren’t fully defined.”
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Also on Wednesday, the Outreach and Appointments Committee sent forward several appointments to be voted on next week including four potential Associate Judges for student court.
Justin Garcia is a freelance reporter with the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted by email at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Just516garc.
