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 Meg Seth, mseth@uchicago.edu 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, 2026, 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, 2026, 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 your 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. Member-only events are events that are advertised internally to your LSSO members only, and are not open to the general Law School community. Examples of these events include board meetings, member-only meals and activities, or a professional development meeting.
If LSSOs use their 25% member-only spending towards swag, they may purchase LSSO branded apparel and below are a few vendors that LSSOs commonly use. Due to University rules regarding gifts, all swag must include your logo and swag designs need approval before ordering. All swag purchase requests must be submitted before March 20, 2026 via the LSSO Logo and Swag Approval form.
Spending on member-only events from other sources of funds (e.g. firm funds) does not have the 25% spending limit.
Vendors commonly used by LSSOs: