Each year hundreds of students and faculty members attend various organizational or academic conferences on behalf of The University of Memphis.
These events obviously cost money, and sometimes it is hard to raise the funds necessary to make the trip.
What some people do not realize is that there is a way to receive funding through the Student Government Association.
The SGA hands out more than $90,000 in travel funding every year to various registered student organizations and individuals to help offset the cost of participating in conferences.
Julia Rhodes, senior administrative secretary to the dean of students, said the process for travel funds is fairly easy, but many people do not realize it's there.
"We always use up the available funds each semester," she said. "However, a lot of student organizations don't even attempt to get help because they don't know about the process."
The funding is for any faculty member, student or group who is planning to attend a leadership conference, symposium or academic meeting that will help bring positive recognition to The University.
In order to apply for travel funds, an application must be submitted to the dean of students office in room 443 of The University Center within 15 days before domestic travel or 11 weeks before international travel. The applications are available in the dean's office.
The application is then turned over to the SGA Senate Finance Committee, and a meeting time is scheduled between the committee and the individual or group requesting funding. At the meeting, the applicant must submit a presentation, and the committee decides what action to take and presents their suggestion to the full Senate for a vote. No one receives 100 percent funding for any trip. The Senate is only authorized to pay up to 70 percent of the requested costs.
If the Senate confirms the bill, the money is reserved for reimbursement after the trip is completed.
SGA Senate Speaker Michael Lipe said travel funding is one of the most important functions of the SGA.
"It's a great thing we offer to help students better themselves," he said. "It not only is good for the students who experience these leadership conferences and seminars, but it also helps promote The University on a large scale."
After the trip is completed, it is the group or individual's responsibility to return to the dean's office to fill out the required University paperwork in order to be reimbursed. All applicable receipts must be turned in as well, or reimbursement will be hindered.
Rhodes said the process has been simplified over the years and that as long as the guidelines are followed it will be a smooth process.
Brianna Stephen, a senior photography and graphic design major, said her experience with travel funds a couple of years ago was a little intimidating, but after she finished the process, she was thankful she applied.
"I didn't like having to explain myself before the committee, but they were nice about things," she said. "Without going through the process, I wouldn't have been able to attend my art conference."
