I'd like to add my two cents here, as member of Student Government, but
especially as a member of the Executive Budgetary Committee that has
made the recommendations for all organizations on campus. Two of these
organizations WE fund are the Blue Line Club and the Women's Ice Hockey
Team.
 
We, as a student body, are in trouble. This budget was prepared with an
estimate of $360,000 of student revenue from the Student Activity Fee.
The problem: All our organizations and boards asked for a combined
$525,000 of funds. We can no longer fund such organizations at current
structure levels.
 
About the budget: Here's what happened to most organizations:
 
1) Conferences/Travel - Anyone who requested these were set to $0.00.
What this meant is that clubs are given the option to allocate whatever
funding they receive from Student Government to this category AFTER they
receive the permission of the Vice President of Financial Affairs of
Student Government. It was decided in EBC that we must focus funding at
on-campus issues. Conferences and travel pay to these were removed from
budgets with exceptions.
 
EXCEPTIONS: EBC made some exceptions based upon reviewing the
organization's philosophy. The Women's Ice Hockey Team is one that needs
to travel. This has always been understood. Being a strong supporter of
this program, I hate to think the most we even gave this organization
for travel was $250. (We're PRAYING for vrsity status...otherwise, we
will have to find a way to get them the additional $2,500 that they'll
need). The Blue Line Club's philosophy is not interpreted as an
organization that needs to "Travel". Don't get me wrong. We'd like to
send 'em to BU or UNH. We just can't afford it at this time. (Hint:
Raising the Student Activity Fee even $5 a student gives student
organizations another $60,000 estimated to use...not a miracle saving
issue, but improved resources.)
 
2) Capital Investments - Blue Line Club saw their budget reduce because
of what they requested from Student Government. I saw in an earlier post
that someone made a comment about the little stuffed bear being removed
from the budget. EBC asked: Why should student money pay for something
the club can pay for out of their own pockets?
 
The main issue with anyone who wanted equipment or props: Student
Government is liable and the owner of anything purchased with student
money. The liability is the concern. EBC's stance on capital
investments(including stuffed bears) is that we cannot keep track of it,
and there is no way to keep track of where these items are as time goes
on. If the bear got stolen, we'd be liable for it(technially).
 
My opinion on the budget: 7 of us worked our butt off and no one is
going to be happy with it. But if anyone feels they can show the 7
members of EBC a better way of doing the budget right now, we'd love to
hear it. 11 hours were spent last Saturday trying to be as fair to every
organization as we possibly can. While we may interpret the budget as
fair, we are only 7. I'm sure the opinions vary greatly.
 
Unfortunately, opinions do not generate revenues. I really hate the
current situation for student organizations. The issue of the budget
will be addressed next semester. I won't be a student anymore, but in
the area and giving my advice on the issue to those still in Senate.
Something has to be done to either improve the situation, or make
students more aware of what they are capable of receiving for their
organization. Something also has to be done to help students who wish to
create a more detailed and better, more affordable budget.
 
Either way, something must be done. This just sucks that we have to make
as many budget cuts as we do. Seems the story of life around these
parts. (I.E.- University funding)
 
Thanks for your time,
 
LB