Financial Officer: Michael Ortiz (mrortiz@stanford.edu)
Amount Approved: $16,446.5
Full Budget

What is the mission and purpose of your student group?

Stanford in Government (SIG), established in 1963, is a
nonpartisan, student-run organization that promotes political
awareness and involvement on the Stanford campus. As one of
Stanford's largest and oldest student organizations, SIG provides
a wide variety of educational, public service and community
service opportunities to students, including fellowship and
internship resources. Civic service and political involvement are
two of the most important parts of being a responsible citizen in
today's world. To that end, Stanford in Government is committed
to engaging students and the greater community in the
governmental process, with the aim of helping every voice to be
heard equally. SIG's committees are focused on three primary
goals: encouraging campus awareness of political issues,
strengthening community service efforts, and providing internship
resources and fellowships.

Why are you requesting Special Fees?

Throughout the undergraduate community, Stanford in Government
(SIG) is recognized for its nonpartisan campus programming
events.  In 2004, SIG presented its Election 2004 Education
Series, which included forums on presidential foreign policy,
discussions on the California ballot initiatives, and
presidential debate viewings.  SIG also cosponsored former
Governor Howard Dean's visit to Memorial Auditorium.  At the
beginning of 2005, SIG introduced its 34 fellowships in local,
state, national, and international positions.  The organization
is also planning its Big Speaker event for the spring quarter,
which traditionally brings a speaker to campus with significant
public service experience.  In order to continue providing these
educational and informative opportunities for undergraduates,
Stanford in Government is requesting Special Fees.

What are the three largest line item requests in your budget and why?

-SIG Big Speaker Honoraria: $13,500

Each year, SIG brings a prominent figure in policymaking and
public service to campus to speak about his or her experiences. 
In the past, we have hosted former Attorney General Janet Reno
(2003) and former Senator Carol Moseley Braun (2004).  Speakers
of the caliber that SIG tries to bring to campus typically have
an honoraria ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.  With the support
of The Stanford Fund and the ASSU Speakers Bureau, we hope we can
continue to bring truly memorable speakers to Stanford.

-SIG Campus Programming: $1,000

In many respects, our Campus Awareness Committee and Public
Policy Forum are the most visible committees on campus.  Because
these committees are responsible for all of SIG's speaking
events, debates, lectures, and forums, they reach out to the most
students.

-Food: $636

This expense for food is primarily for SIG events for the
undergraduate community.