SFC denies Hillel budget appeal

Hillel's budget appeal was not approved by the Student Finance Committee (SFC) two weeks ago, ending Hillel's hopes for increasing their funding to pay for Shabbat through the traditional funding mechanism.

Hillel's budget was cut by 30 percent last year, a cut that concerned students throughout Oberlin's Jewish community. Hillel submitted a budget appeal to SFC in early October asking for $7,000 to help fund various programs of Hillel conducts. Funding allocated for Shabbat dinner, celebrating the traditional Jewish day of rest, received a 50 percent cut last year.

"I was very surprised. I had expected we were going to get some money from them," Hillel co-chair Erica Seager said about the budget appeal rejection by SFC. "I'm worried," she said.

Hillel met with President of the College Nancy Dye to discuss alternative funding mechanisms that might be possible for Shabbat dinner. An endowment for Shabbat was suggested as a possible way to provide stable monetary support for Shabbat in the long run.

Seager said, "Dye and SFC were very positive about establishing an endowment for Shabbat. If the President doesn't give the OK to this, then it won't happen. From my understanding, she hasn't done that yet."

According to SFC treasurer senior Becca Barnes, the SFC had $20,000 for budget appeals that totaled over $120,000. She said they went over budget by a few thousand dollars to meet campus organization needs better.

"I think SFC did a pretty good job with appeals," Barnes said. "We have less money this year than in the recent past. It's because SFC wants to fund everyone that there is a problem."

Barnes pointed out that Abusua didn't get any money either. "Everyone's funding got cut, last year especially," Barnes said.

Hillel treasurer sophomore Shawn Steiman said Shabbat funding is now half gone.

"Generally I have faith in the system," Steiman said.

"I think Hillel and Jewish students have had an amazing year so far. We just have this black cloud hanging over our head as to when Shabbat might have to be cancelled," Seager said.

She said Hillel is planning to meet with Dye later this semester and has scheduled a meeting next week with Controller Ron Watts to attempt to locate funds that may already be available for funding Shabbat.