Student organizations are one step closer to being able to request one-time use money so they can put on a program or event in conjunction with one another.

The Collaborative Bulls Fund allows student organizations to come together and request money for a certain program or event. The Student Government senate discussed a memorandum Tuesday that gives life to this grant program. This memorandum follows up on a resolution that was passed in the senate about a month ago.

While the resolution detailed what the senate plans to do with this initiative, the memorandum puts it into action, said Sen. Daniel Shelnutt, its author. A resolution, by definition, outlines the senate’s opinion but does not enable it to take official action.

The memorandum allows SG to distribute funds for joint events and programs as long as the organizations meet the requirements.

To qualify, three or more student organizations must agree to put on one event or program. One of the three must receive Activity and Service (A&S) fees. The organizations must be registered with the Center for Student Involvement.

Senate President Juan Soltero said the point of the Collaborative Bulls Fund is to encourage different student organizations to work together.

The memorandum was the main topic of discussion at Tuesday’s senate meeting and did not leave the meeting unchanged.

Sen. Jordan Stone proposed a “statement of intention,” meaning a short sentence should be included at the top of the document to clearly and concisely explain the main point of the Collaborative Bulls Fund.

Also, the senate added an advertisement clause and a deadline clause to the memorandum. The clauses stipulate that organizations must market and make their event available to all students, and that the memorandum will expire May 1, 2009.

“In place of it will be more permanent fixtures,” Shelnutt said, explaining that the senate may decide to include the Collaborative Bulls Fund in its statutes, making it a permanent grant program.

Each student pays $8.79 per credit hour, plus a flat fee of $7, toward A&S fees.

Once SG receives the application, the Interim Funds and Transfers Committee (IFTC) and a member of the Organization Outreach Committee will review it. If approved, the organizations could receive up to $500 for a program or event.

Shelnutt, chair of the IFTC, said he hopes to have the memorandum in its final form by the end of the week. Once the student body president, the senate president and the associate dean for students sign it, SG can start taking applications from student organizations. SG will be able to allocate up to $500 four times before May 2009.