The Spike for Charity Committee canceled its fundraiser night at Timothy's Bar and Grill Thursday, Jan. 28 because of a miscommunication regarding policies for registering organization events.

Spike for Charity is a volleyball tournament for professional fraternities on campus that started in 2007. Service is a big part of the organization and each fraternity involved in the tournament raises money for a specific charity. The organization thrives off the Marianist philosophy of giving back to the community.

The Spike for Charity committee understands the importance of raising money for the greater good, even at the bar scene.

"It is difficult to plan an event on campus not involving alcohol because of our market: college students," event coordinator Bill Rufner said. "It's the easiest way for us to raise money."

Spike for Charity usually gets its events approved by Delta Sigma Pi, the parent organization, and was unaware of the University's changed policies.

Rufner was informed of a change in policies the day he tried to get fliers approved. After being informed about registering the event he was directed to the Risk Management office to get approval where he was faced with greater complications regarding an insurance policy and then redirected elsewhere.

"Robin Oldfield [from Risk Management] informed me that the University's insurance policy did not cover this event since it was off-campus and involved alcohol," Rufner said. "We either had to purchase an insurance policy through a company the University recommended or we had to go through Delta Sigma Pi's Nationals Office to get documentation showing that we were covered under their insurance. Being a charitable organization, we did not have the funds to cover this."

Despite having been told that Oldfield could approve Spike's event, Rufner was redirected to Amy Lopez-Matthews and Sarah Schoper for approval, but the insurance policy issue still stood.

Rufner and Julie-Ann Anton, another Spike coordinator, spoke with Schoper about the issue. She raised concerns about the safety of the event because the committee would be liable if something were to happen at Tim's.

The event turned out to be covered by Delta Sigma Pi and the paperwork was sent to the committee, but the University was a day delayed in responding. Schoper left the office early, and Amy Lopez-Matthews was not in her office.

The Spike for Charity Committee thought it best to cancel the event due to the lack of official approval from the University.

"I understand their concern for people and the University's image, but they have prevented us from raising necessary money for charities as a result of these policies," Rufner said.

With all the necessary paperwork, Spike for Charity plans on rescheduling the fundraiser night at Tim's sometime later in the semester. The fourth annual volleyball tournament will be held on April 16 and 17.