Undergraduate Student Government allocated $3,610 to nine different Registered Student Organizations Wednesday, leaving the government’s pocketbook almost half empty.

USG President Priciliano Fabian said he is worried about exhausting the money earlier than usual.

‘This is the least amount of money we’ve had to give out,’ Fabian said. ‘Once it’s all gone, we have to say, ‘Sorry, we’re out.”

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The government had $16,000 to contribute to organizations for this academic year – $8,000 per semester, Fabian said.

The Native American Student Organization was approved $800 for Native American Heritage Month in November, the most money received out of the nine organizations.

SIUC Club Softball, back in existence for the first time since 1977, was approved $250 to help with uniform costs.

College Democrats, Zeta Phi Beta, Taiwanese Student Association, Middle Eastern Dance Enthusiasts, Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship and Omega Delta Phi received the remaining $2,560 for various events.

‘It’s good to allocate to a lot of diverse events that support different demographics,’ Fabian said.

The government has $4,390 left to contribute to organizations for the rest of the semester.

Rhonda Daugherty, chairwoman of the finance committee, said even though she is concerned about the money running dry, she is glad the government assisted student organizations.

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‘I’m feeling really positive,’ Daugherty said. ‘(The money) has been spread out the right ways to all the groups.’

Besides giving money to organizations, the government discussed getting money back to students by way of the Monetary Award Program Grant.

The grant is awarded by the state through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to undergraduate students. It covers mandatory tuition and fees and does not have to be repaid.

Dave Loftus, chairman of Internal Affairs Committee, said the postcard campaign distributed 3,500 postcards to students this past week and 1,000 more have been ordered.

Students could write their thoughts about the grant to state legislators who will be given the cards at Springfield on Lobby Day, Oct. 15. They were also encouraged to write letters, sign a petition and attend Lobby Day.

‘We’ve already got 50 handwritten letters with 80 more on the way and hundreds of signatures,’ Loftus said.

An informational meeting for students about the grant will be held today at 4:30 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium.

Ashley Epps, vice president, said she’s looking forward to Lobby Day, but hopes to get even more support from students.

‘The MAP grant initiative has been going really well,’ Epps said. ‘But we can’t do it on our own.’

Other Illinois universities such as Loyola, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and Illinois State University are also attending lobby day, Fabian said.

‘It looks like it’s going to be a big day,’ he said.