Team PrISUm, the ISU solar car program, was zero-funded, funding for six other groups was left in the air and more than 140 groups were funded Wednesday by the Government of the Student Body at its annual Regular Allocations meeting.

Team PrISUm was recommended by the finance committee to be zero-funded because of its ties to the College of Engineering.

At least a dozen members of the solar car team were in attendance at the meeting and addressed the senate with arguments that their club was in no way connected to the College of Engineering.

“We’re hoping to get everyone to realize that we’re not a pre-professional group, that we’re open to everyone on campus, and we benefit everyone on campus,” said Justin Steinlage, the team’s project director. “What we’re hoping to come from that is at least a percentage of our initial request.”

Despite passionate argument by GSB engineering senator Leia Guccione, the senate sided with the finance committee.

“I’m frustrated because this is an issue we’ve had in the past,” Guccione said. “We’ve funded team PrISUm for the last nine years. I think we’ve just seen an organization that does a great deal to promote Iowa State as an institution and adds to the value of everyone’s degree go without recognition and support.”

The Public Interest Research Group, which attempted to become a student-funded office earlier this year, and, instead, was zero-funded by the finance committee, was pulled out in hopes that further funding could be arranged.

“We’re hoping to get about half of what we requested,” said off-campus senator Drew Miller, who originally pushed for the group to be funded. “For PIRG to exist, it needs a professional staff with a paid organizer which answers only to students.”

After a long discussion, the group’s funding was sent back to the finance committee with general instructions to fund — a decision that would only guarantee the group be funded. The Public Interest Research Group isn’t guaranteed the $33,000 it requested. GSB Finance Director David Boike said it would have been impossible to find the amount.

The funds were needed, Public Interest Research Group officials said, to obtain a full-time campus organizer and an operating budget.

“This is an intermediate step, so we’re still waiting,” said Chelsea Lepley, campus organizer for the group. “It’s progress, but it’s not enough progress. We need to have a campus organizer here, and we need to make sure we demonstrate that to the finance committee.”

Cuffs, a campus group that teaches safe bondage techniques, was called out after the group’s president, Harlan “Duane” Long Jr., spoke to GSB Graduate Student senator Matt Christiansen about attempting to obtain more funding. Long said the funds were needed to attend a seminar.

The senate voted to uphold the finance committee’s recommendation of allocating the group $116, down from the $2,087 it originally requested.

“I’m disappointed,” Long said. “I’m just going to have to redouble my efforts next year to educate future leaders.”

He said the senate’s decision would hurt the group, and said it would not have happened if he’d had a better understanding of the finance process.

The Financial Counseling Clinic, whose funding recommendation fell drastically short of the group’s request, was referred to a specially formed committee ordered by GSB Speaker of the Senate Tony Luken.

“It’s kind of a big deal right now,” said GSB off-campus senator Jacob Larson, who will serve as chairman of the committee. “Every year, they ask for an increase in funding, and it came to a head this year because student financial advice needs are increasing, and they’re trying to expand their service … [we want to] make sure they’re doing the job we originally gave them funding to do.”

“It’s disappointing because I’d like to know what’s going to happen,” said Clark Grinde, a counselor for the clinic. “But I hope they’ll be reasonable and listen to what we have to say when the committee does meet.”

Funding for the American Disability Association and the Entomology Club was referred to the finance committee for more review. The finance committee will also alter a line-item in the Ballroom Dance Club budget and examine previous agreements between GSB and ISU Men’s Ice Hockey.