FEES: STUDENTS GENERATE $220,000

Activity fee revenue of $220,000 has been allocated to Southeast Missouri State University student groups, including a gay and lesbian organization, while funding for two Christian organizations remains in doubt.

The issue is whether separation-of-church-and-state laws preclude funding for religious organizations on campus, said Bob Beodeker, director of the University Center and campus activities, and adviser to Student Government.

He said university officials hope to make a decision on the matter within the next two weeks.

Student Government has agreed to provide $40 in funding for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and $1,210 for the Black Student Fellowship Mass Gospel Choir for this fiscal year. The funding, however, will only be provided if university officials decide such allocations don't violate federal or state laws, Beodeker said.

"As a state institution, we have

to be concerned about separation-of-church-and-state laws," said Beodeker.

"We are just trying to make sure that all the bases are covered so we don't wind up in any trouble," said Beodeker. "There are laws out there on what you can and can't do as a state institution in support of religious activities."

There's some question, he said, whether programs for which the two groups have sought funding are "religious services" or cultural or "awareness" activities.

Beodeker said this is the first time Student Government has chosen to fund religious organizations at Southeast.

Student Government, he said, revised its funding policies last year. Student Government, he explained, recognized "the fact that spiritual growth and development is an important aspect of the total development of students."

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes had requested $175 in funding, but much of that was intended for social gatherings, activities that don't meet Student Government funding policies, he said.

Leaders of the Christian athletes group could not be reached to comment. But Mike Parry, director of the Baptist Student Union and adviser to the Black Student Fellowship Gospel Choir, said the choir was funded strictly with private funds last year.

He said he understands the need for separation of church and state. But, he said, "I think the university can justify giving money to this particular group for cultural reasons as opposed to religious reasons. But I am splitting hairs, I confess."

In addition, Parry said, the campus should provide "a free forum to discuss religious and spiritual ideas and not just act like it doesn't belong here."

The organization has asked for funding from Student Government to help pay expenses for its Gospel Explosion, an annual gospel concert, Parry said.

The choir has about 40 to 50 active members and sings at a number of concerts each year.

Parry said he's pleased Student Government has given tentative support to funding for programs sponsored by religious groups. "They are considering the needs of all students, and that is encouraging."

Students pay a $25-a-semester activity fee, with $9 of that earmarked for athletics and $16 for student organizations, including Student Government.

A total of $220,000 has been budgeted for Student Government, student organizations and special projects for the 1992-93 year.

The majority of that $89,156 goes to the Student Activities Council (SAC), which funds a wide range of cultural programs from comedians to lectures.

Another $55,000 has been allocated for Student Government. That money basically goes for salaries for an accountant, a secretary and student labor, said Jason Crowe, Student Government treasurer.

Counting the two Christian organizations, $46,851 has been allocated to about 60 student groups, excluding the money budgeted for SAC and Student Government. Nearly $7,000 set aside for student organizations has not been allocated, budget figures show.

Another $22,000 has been earmarked for special projects, including a fireworks display, a new computer for the Student Government office in the University Center and promotion of Alcohol Awareness Week.

Excluding SAC and Student Government, the top-funded organizations are: Association of Black Collegians, $9,975; the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Association (GLBA), $4,528; International Television Association, $2,413; and Malaysian Student Association, $1,829.

Student Government allocates the funds on the basis of recommendations by a funding board comprised of eight students, Crowe said. The board follows set policies on how the money can be spent.

The funds are essentially allocated for specific programs and speakers. "We are very open minded about organizations," said Crowe.

Beodeker said: "Activities that Student Government supports are educational in nature. The students are generally given money for programs and things that help people understand issues. They are not funded for their partisan activities or biased activities."

Funding hearings are held each spring and fall, with major organizations generally going through the hearing process each spring prior to the start of the new fiscal year.

"We had 36 (organizations) go through last semester and 34 go through this semester," said Crowe.

"Some don't receive funding and some receive little funding," he explained. "We've had organizations come in and ask for $2,500 and we've given them $200," he said.

The board takes its job seriously, he said. "Many students don't understand the process and the long, tedious procedures that take place."

Said Crowe, "It's important that they know their money is being taken care of in a proper manner."