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LSSO Handbook

Budget & Funds

Managing your LSSO Budget

LSSO Treasurers must keep track of spending and maintain a detailed record of their own budget, which is separate from the budget spreadsheet managed by the Dean of Students Office. If an LSSO plans to use a grant toward an event or plans to use their LSSO funds to co-sponsor and event, it is the responsibility of the LSSO to inform DOS the amount and event information. LSSOs should compare both their own and DOS version of the spreadsheet to make sure there are no discrepancies.

LSSO Treasurers must also submit an End-of-the Year Budget Summary to the Dean of Students Office outlining all expenses and revenue. Outgoing Treasurers must also train and share their internal budget with Incoming Treasurers for the following year. 

It is critical that LSSOs do not spend money in excess of their budget allocation. If an LSSO exceeds their allocation for the year, then the deficit will carry over to the incoming board. 

Funds

  • LSA Funds: Unspent LSA funds will not carry over to the next academic year. LSSOs will receive a new budget every year. ​​If LSSOs did not hold any events or spent any funds by January 31, then your LSA funds will be returned to LSA in order to be redistributed or spent by LSA.  this  to LSA. 

  • ​If LSSOs did not hold any events or spent any funds by January 31,then your LSA funds will be returned to LSA in order to be redistributed or spent by LSA. 

  • If LSSO plans to hold events or spend funds AFTER January 31, then LSSOs must communicated in the funding request to LSA. 

  • Firm Funds: Firm Funds do not carry over to the next academic year. 

Member-Only Events & Swag

The majority of LSSO spending should be open to the entire Law School community. However, LSSOs may use up to 25% of their LSA funds either to host a member-only event or on member-only swag purchases.  

 

Other sources of funds (e.g., firm funds) do not have the LSA 25% spending limit but still requires Law School review and approval. LSSOs will not be reimbursed for expenses if events or purchases are not approved beforehand. 

Members-only events 

  • Member-only events are events that are advertised internally to your LSSO members only 
  • Member-only events are not open to the general Law School community.  
  • Examples of member-only events include board meetings, member-only meals and activities, or a professional development meeting. 

 Members-only swag purchases 

Due to University rules regarding gifts, all swag must be branded with your LSSO logo and need prior approval. Graduation related merch, such as stoles with LSSO name, can be considered branded swag. You may submit your new logo for approval before or in conjunction with your swag proposal.  

All swag purchase requests must be submitted before March 17, 2027, 5:00 PM via the LSSO Logo and Swag Approval form.  

  • No add-on order requests will be accepted after the deadline. 
  • LSSOs must designate one (1) person to submit swag requests on the form.  
  • The limit on swag purchases per transaction is $4,999.00. This total should include any fees & shipping costs.  
  • Swag request submissions must be submitted on-time, and have: 
  • A spreadsheet of the swag you're ordering.  
  • Spreadsheet must contain vendor name, quantity of each item, cost per item, links for each item, total cost of the order, and shipping total for each item you would like to purchase, including sizes.  
  • You may also upload PDFs, or screenshots, of your cart(s) with links to each item for review. 
  • The LSSOs updated internal LSSO budget spreadsheet  
  • Your spreadsheet should include all past, pending, and anticipated future expenses to ensure your budget has enough to pay for the cost of your LSSO events AND your request to use LSSO funds for swag.  
  • Swag requests will be denied if the swag proposal puts the LSSO in a deficit.  
  • It is a University requirement to use University-approved vendors for swag purchases. Therefore, your itemized spreadsheet should be from any of the below University-approved vendors.  

Approved vendors: 

Due to University policy on stewardship of funds, merchandise items must be purchased by a University-approved vendor. See the list below. The only exception to this rule is the purchase of graduation related-items, which may be purchased from any vendor, but require the approval of DOS.  

  • Mercury (preferred vendor) - Sells name brands like Yeti, Nike, and Under Armour 

LSSO funds for CLF Merch Sale 

LSSOs may also request to use funds to purchase CLF Merch in the CLF Merch Spring Sale. 

  • All CLF Merch purchase requests must be submitted before March 17, 2027, 5:00 PM via the LSSO Logo and Swag Approval form.     
  • No add-on order requests will be accepted after the deadline. 
  • LSSOs must designate one (1) person to submit swag requests on the form.  
  • The per item limit for swag is $200.
  • The limit on CLF swag purchases per transaction is $4,999.00 This total should include any fees & shipping costs. 
  • Swag request submissions must be submitted on-time, and have: 
  • A spreadsheet of the swag you're ordering, including sizes. 
  • The LSSOs updated internal LSSO budget spreadsheet