Despite the praise Harvard garners for the diversity of its students interests and involvements, money worries plague many student groups.

Groups report the plaudits they receive far outweigh the financial support. Many say they must pinch their pennies--and search for the dollars--to send students to competitions, put out publications and host events.

The majority of student groups rely on funds from endowments, University foundations and College, alumni and Undergraduate Council grants. But many say the size of these funds does not reflect the contribution their group makes to the University.

"Diversity & Distinction has done a lot for the community, and I wonder if [The University] could give us more money," says Jia-Rui Chong '99, editor-in-chief of Diversity & Distinction (D&D). "The University has certain responsibilities to its student groups that a lot of times it doesn't really pay attention to."

Chong says D&D has been in debt since the beginning of the year and is still unable to pay many of its bills.

Student leaders say lack of funding also affects Harvard's performance in national competitions.

The Pre-Law Society and Mock Trial Team won a place in national competitions last spring but could not attend because it did not have enough money to transport students to Cornell for the competition.

The Speech and Parliamentary Debate Society(HSPDS) limits first-years to participation inthree competitions due to lack of funding.

Many student leaders fault the University--notthe council or their own methods offundraising--for the lack of money in studentorganizations.

University funding comes through four mainchannels. To receive these grants, groups must beofficially recognized by the College. TheUniversity spends about $1.2 million inunrestricted funds annually on student activities,according to Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R.Knowles' January 26 letter to the Faculty.

Many students say each channel requires itsrecipients to comply with strict criteria, makingit difficult for some groups to qualify for anyUniversity funding at all.

Some suggest the University should change itspolicy and distribute funds through a singleoffice.

"If the University ran a centralized fundsupported with alumni donations they could solvethe problem," says Thomas G. Saunders '00,co-president of the Mock Trial Team and Pre-LawSociety, who manages the team's activities.

Saunders says he believes the University shouldbe more willing to financially support neworganizations. The Mock Trial team started twoyears ago.

"Whether it's the U.C. or some larger fund runby the University, there should be something tohelp those groups which are just getting off theground," Saunders said.

Where The Money Is