SGA cuts fat from executive staff funding
The Student Government Association is aiming to increase spending on campus programming this year while saving on student stipends.
The group proposed its $44,121.66 budget last week along with a bill that would reduce the number of office hours executive board members must serve each week.
Vice President Brandon Wulf, Pinckney junior, proposed the bill at the first board meeting while Treasurer Elizabeth Coffman, Saint Johns junior, presented the budget proposal.
“Brandon and a lot of other people have said the number of office hours have been unnecessary, so why get paid for something unnecessary?” Coffman said.
President Sean Johnston, St. Clair Shores sophomore, said the reductions in hours will save around $2,800 in stipends.
“I think one of the main focuses this year is to lower the amount of money paid to student leaders,” Johnston said. “I think it’s important to be realistic in how much we pay these students. I definitely like the idea of saving the student body money in how much we get paid.”
Johnston said allocations from campus programming fees declined this year because student stipends were high, but that is not the reason for the cuts.
“Brandon Wulf and I have taken this stance since last year when running for our positions,” he said.
Johnston said the money will go into rollover until it can be dispersed into other areas. It will be up to the General Board — a joint session between the House and Senate — to determine where the money goes, he said.
Johnston said he would like to see the money put toward new programs or public relations.
He said a committee is in the process of planning an embezzlement awareness workshop, which will offer security measures RSOs can take to avoid future situations.
Johnston also hopes to use the money to create student awareness about SGA.
“I’ve stressed on many occasions the student body doesn’t really know enough about us or what we do,” he said. “We need to focus this year primarily on getting our name out there and expanding our influence.”
A number of cuts were made to a variety of areas according to the 2003-2004 budget proposal.
Those areas include: Legislative affairs programming, executive board and committee retreats, administrative costs, office manager stationary and supplies, the SGA alumni fund and funds for Gentle Friday were cut by $500.
“They didn’t use the extra $500 last year, so the cut made sense,” Coffman said. “Basically, the cuts that were made were just things that SGA didn’t use last year.”
Increases in spending were equally abundant.
Funds allocated for elections were upped from $400 to $500 in hopes of a better voter turn out, Coffman said.
Funds for Conference on Student Government Associations, a national conference that takes place each spring, increased from $2,500 to $3,000 to account for increased airfare costs, she said. COSGA is a meeting for SGA groups to meet and share ideas.
A $500 increase goes toward new programs and initiatives and this year's President’s Ball now has $3,000 allocated toward the event.
“Sean (Johnston) wanted an increase in case something new came up,” Coffman said.
The group also put $178 toward RSO Move-In Day — up $123 from the $55 spent last year.
“It was just copies and that’s how much copies cost now,” Coffman said.
The group will vote on final passage of the budget and Office Hour Reduction Act at Monday’s board meeting, Johnston said.
A representative from the Athletics Department will be discussing the newly proposed athletic fee as well.
“It’s going to be a very important meeting for implication of the budget and Office Hour Reduction Act,” he said.
Because of a resignation, Johnston said another undergraduate Senate seat is open and will be announced at the meeting.
SGA budget changes
CUTS
Legislative affairs programming - cut from $500 to $400
Executive board retreat - cut from $500 to $200
Committee retreat - cut from $100 to $0
Administrative costs (postage) - cut from $100 to $0
Office manager stationery - cut from $500 to $100
Office manager office supplies - cut from $600 to $500
Gentle Friday - cut from $1,500 to $1,000
SGA alumni fund - cut from $100 to $0
INCREASES
Programming for RSO move in day - increased from $55 to $178
Elections advertising - increased from $400 to $500
New programs and initiatives - increased from $1,000 to $1,500
COSGA - increased from $2,500 to $3,000
President’s Ball - increased to $3,000
