Finance

An image of a calculator, money, charts, and graphs.

This committee oversees the expenditures of the GPSC. In addition, the Committee reviews and recommends applications for Travel Awards and Professional and Internship Grant Sponsorships to the Assembly.

Email the Finance Committee
Access the Treasurer’s Website

Committee Members:

• Braziel Hatch, Committee Chair
• Odebode Adetola
• Sumanjot Kaur 
• Jacob Vaughan
• Spencer Wyld
• Olivia Kolenc
• Samuel Cano

Secondary Members:
• Adedoyin Abe

DEI Statement:

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are pivotal principles that significantly impact the work of the finance committee within the Graduate and Professional Student Congress at the University of Arkansas. Recognizing the diverse backgrounds and financial situations of graduate students, the committee plays a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities. By incorporating these principles, the committee strives to create a financial environment that supports students from all walks of life, promotes fairness in funding allocations, and fosters an inclusive community where every graduate student’s financial concerns are heard and addressed. Having a central DEI office contributes to a more stable, harmonious, and supportive academic experience. It enables our institution to provide specific resources and to be intentional and iterative with policies across the various colleges on campus. Most importantly, it is a display of the university’s dedication to embracing all perspectives and identities for current and prospective stakeholders.

Applying for GPSC Event Funding

As a graduate student, you have the ability to apply for event funding through the Graduate & Professional Student Congress (GPSC). The GPSC is funded by a certain percentage of the student activity fees that are paid for by the student body each semester. There’s currently no limit to the amount or the number of times you may request funding, but bills are subject to the approval of the general body.

If you would like to attend a finance committee meeting, discuss a bill before submission, have any questions about the process below, or need any assistance, please email the GPSC Treasurer gpsctres@uark.edu.

To receive funding, you must be a member of a graduate-oriented Registered Student Organization (RSO), be a current member of the GPSC, or have your bill sponsored by a current member of the GPSC. For more information on student organizations, please visit the OSA RSO Office.

Applying for funding involves the creation of a formal GPSC bill with an invoice embedded. This bill will be voted upon during a GPSC General Assembly Meeting after receiving approval from the finance committee. Bills must be submitted to the president pro tempore of the GPSC. Bills should include a title, potential effects on graduate students, information about the group requesting funds, and the amount of funding needed. Please point out if the requested amount is pre- or post-tax. The GPSC Treasurer will help point to the correct line item after submission. See examples below:

GPSC Legislation Template (2023–2024)

GPSC Legislation Sample Bill (2023–2024)

If the submitted bill is affirmed by the Congress, you will be notified and then may move on to the next step of submitting a budget request form (requisition form) on Hogsync. Funds approved in this way will be drawn from the GPSC Assembly unallocated.

GPSC Budget Request Form 2023-2024

Guidelines (also please see GPSC Finance code)

  • Bill Name
  • Requestor Name(s)
  • Sponsor Name(s)
  • Description of Requestors
  • Event/Request Impact on Graduate Students
  • Event Details
  • Financial Details

Link to Legislation/Bill Template

If you have questions about writing a bill or need legislation support, please email the President Pro Tempore at gpscpro@uark.edu.

You may also request support if the bill is specific to funding requirements by emailing the GPSC Treasurer at gpsctres@uark.edu.

There is no need to write a bill if a line item exists in the GPSC budget for your event, position, committee, or student organization.

  • Any funds used from a ‘legislative allocation’ line item over $300 must be approved by a simple majority of the GPSC Legislative Assembly
  • All expenditures over $500 from the GPSC assembly budget must be approved by a simple majority of the GPSC finance committee
  • All expenditures over $1,000 from the GPSC assembly budget must be approved by a simple majority of the GPSC Legislative Assembly

Line items typically may be created by legislation with the approval of the Treasurer and finance committee or at the end of your budget review by the finance committee.

When making a purchase that involves a contract, give at least 4 weeks lead time since it can take General Counsel a bit of time to review/revise and then sign them.

Regular purchase requests need about 10 days advance notice after assembly approval. See the calendar in Table 1 under the Submission and Event Timeline section.

Requirements to Consider:

  • For large events, make sure they are being tracked in Hogsync. With the new software, printing out a QR code for attendees to scan at the beginning of each event is pretty easy.
    • Make sure that every event has a GPSC “point person” that will be at the event so if there are any issues, staff/admin have someone to contact. 
  • Items being purchased must be available and open to the university campus, including all graduate students, per university policy.
  • New events must have a new Bill written.
  • Unspent funding does not roll over.

Businesses the GPSC transacts with must either be on or added to the approved vendor list. Be sure to check if this is the case and look to add it if not potentially.

Vendor Approval

Vendor Must be approved in Workday – approved to receive purchase orders from the university (larger purchases)

  • These are added daily
  • If any licensing is required, it must be approved as well by the university, and listed as an approved vendor in Workday

P-Card Use

  • Physical Location required to use a P-card
  • It doesn’t need to be an approved vendor
  • Spending limits vary by P-card

If the purchase is less than the $2000 P-Card limit, you do not have to use an approved vendor. These vendors must have a physical storefront. 

Before submitting a bill, please review important meeting and submission deadlines based on the anticipated date of the event. If you would like to attend a finance committee meeting or discuss a bill before submission or timelines, please email the GPSC Treasurer gpsctres@uark.edu.

  • Any funds used from a ‘legislative allocation’ line item over $300 must be approved by a simple majority of the GPSC Legislative Assembly
  • All expenditures over $500 from the GPSC assembly budget must be approved by a simple majority of the GPSC finance committee
  • All expenditures over $1,000 from the GPSC assembly budget must be approved by a simple majority of the GPSC Legislative Assembly

Table 1. 2023-2024 Finance Committee Important Timeline Dates

GPSC Meeting DateMonthly Submission DeadlinesEarliest Event Date after GPSC Meeting
SUMMER/FALL 2023
Thursday, July 27th Thursday, July 13thThursday, August 10th
Wednesday, August 30th Wednesday, August 16thThursday, September 14th
Thursday, September 28thThursday, September 14thFriday, October 13th
Wednesday, October 25thWednesday, October 11thWednesday, November 8th
Thursday, November 16thThursday, November 2ndFriday, December 1st
Wednesday, December 6thWednesday, November 22ndWednesday, December 20th
SPRING 2024
Thursday, January 25thThursday, January 18thThursday, Feb 1st
Wednesday, February 28thWednesday, February 21stWednesday, March 13th
Thursday, March 28thThursday, March 21stWednesday, April 11th
Wednesday, April 17thWednesday, April 10thWednesday, May 1st
Thursday, May 2ndThursday, April 25thThursday, May 16th