To:                   Those interested in the recent discussions regarding the Rugby Club coaching situation
From:               Vice President and Dean of Student Life Joe Tolliver
Date:                December 17, 2007
Subject:           Status of the Rugby Club

I write in order to outline the facts regarding the status of the SLU Rugby Club, knowing there are questions and concerns among students and alumni.

Rugby at St. Lawrence is a recognized club, one of over 100 clubs and some 15 sports-related clubs.  As a club, rugby applies for funding from SLUSAF (St. Lawrence University Student Activities Fund), which is the business arm of the student government association, the Thelomathesian Society (Thelmo).

Each year the rugby club receives a budget from SLUSAF to cover the various expenses the Club incurs (equipment, tournament fees, travel etc.). This year the Club received $26,000+.  Long established SLUSAF bylaws forbid organizations to pay advisers a salary and rugby, for several years, had been paying its advisor, in her role as a coach, a small salary.  SLUSAF treasurers have warned rugby for over three years that paying such a salary is against SLUSAF bylaws.  Rugby still has its entire budget and can spend it on all appropriate costs that they incur. Paying a salary is not an appropriate cost, as stated in SLUSAF bylaws.

I have been talking with Thelmo leadership about this, and about how other club sports, are funded, in my own role as Thelmo’s advisor.  I trust that Thelmo leadership will use their best problem-solving skills to resolve this.