Both the College Democrats and College Republicans spent more than $10,000 on programming during the run-up to last week’s historic presidential election, according to records released by the Student Association.
Student organization financial records became available to the public after the SA passed a bill aiming to increase transparency in the financial process earlier this year. While both organizations utilized the SA co-sponsorship account, a large majority of their funds came from outside sources.
Brand Kroeger, chairman of the CRs said his organization received thousands of dollars in donations from organizations like the Institute for Politics and Democracy and the alumni house.
“In addition to that we have, outside of the Student Association, raised about $10,000,” said Kroeger, a senior.
Troy Timmer, finance director of the CDs, said his organization spend $14,000 on programming this semester, with a majority of those funds coming from the organization’s revenue account.
Both organizations, however, utilized the SA co-sponsorship fund in their programming.
According to financial documents, the CDs received $1,500 in co-sponsorships in addition to their $10,000 initial allocation. The CRs received $9,000 in co-sponsorships in addition to their $10,000 initial allocation.
The financial documents attribute the large difference in co-sponsorship amounts to the CR’s event with Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott.
Even though the elections are over, both organizations said they plan on scheduling more programming throughout the rest of the year.
“It has been our overall strategy to have enough money at the end of the semester to put on great programming equal to or better than what we have already done so far,” Timmer said.
He added, “We are currently planning a way to celebrate the election results in our successful efforts in getting a big turnout in the Senate and our campaign efforts in the House. So we will hopefully have some type of programming celebrating relating to that.”
Timmer also said the CDs will play a large role in planning the Inaugural Ball.
While McCain did not win the election, Kroeger said the CRs are also going to hold events relating to Inauguration Day.
“I sit on the Inaugural Ball Committee and the College Republicans are playing a roll,” Kroeger said. “We are planning on decorating a room at the ball. In addition to that we are probably going to do a farewell event for George W. Bush on January 20th when he flies away from the White House.”