Student Union Treasury unanimously approved the $4.6 million general budget allocating the 2024-2025 Student Activities Fee, which is almost 9% more than last year, Feb. 20.

Though many line items remained largely the same from last year’s Budget, SU Senate and Treasury voted to approve $320,000 for next year’s Spring WILD artist, about double this year’s allocations. Student Union Treasury also reviewed six student group budgets after passing the Budget, approving a total of $24,820.99 in funding. 

Members expressed interest in creating a lasting school tradition at WashU, one which would make the school more fun and appealing to prospective students.

President of the Social Programming Board (SPB), junior Abby Sode, noted that WILD is the  largest SPB event on campus and an increased talent budget would be distributed equitably. 

Mishka Narasimhan, the Vice President of Finance and the architect of the general budget, explained that this increase would allow for SPB to compete with other colleges for big-name artists and would put WashU on par with peer institutions, such as Cornell, Northwestern, and Brown. 

“It has happened before, where we were not able to secure an artist who our students ranked highly on the WILD survey, because another school was able to pay them more,” said Narasimhan.

Spires Magazine requested $1,200 for printing costs relating to its yearly publication and was funded in full. It was already budgeted for these costs, but due to miscalculations by its executive board and rising costs of printing, the group was forced to appeal for extra funds. 

TEDxWUSTL asked for $10,814 for its largest event, TEDxWUSTL 2024, and was funded $10,290.94 for venue, video, and speaker costs, allowing it to conduct the event. SU Treasury did not fund requested speaker gifts and stickers because they were deemed “event advertising.” 

WashU Amateurs appealed for $1,804.44 to cover gas and hotel costs for its ICCA Semifinals. SU Treasury funded the group in full for this request.

The Hillel Leadership Council requested $2320 for its Interfaith Shabbat Lenten Dinner. SU Treasury did not fund $50 for flower decorations, granting the Hillel Leadership Council $2270.

Club Golf requested $1961 to cover entry fees and gas for a tournament. The group was funded in full.

Club Men’s Ultimate Frisbee asked for $10314.58 for its South Central Regionals but SU Treasury could only fund the team $7,294.61 as it had reached its travel cap.