The Programs Finance Committee spent more time in recess than in budget hearings Thursday as it worked to allot funds for six student groups.
“We’re never on schedule, so we go from budget to budget to budget without a break,” PFC Chairwoman Persis Pohowalla said. “So this is nice.”
Pohowalla said most of the groups were tabled previously so the committee already had the opportunity to review the budgets of most of
Thursday’s student groups.
Because of Oregon Public Meetings Law, the committee was not allowed to hear groups’ budget requests earlier than scheduled. Gaps as long as one hour left committee members with
little to do except wait.
More than $111,000 was allotted to six groups, most only requesting
modest budget increases.
The Assault Prevention Shuttle received $87,064, a 22.2 percent increase, to compensate for higher wages related to minimum wage increases and rising fuel costs. The group also requested funding for an additional employee, which would help it maintain a consistent level of service on campus.
The Coalition Against Environmental Racism appealed de-funding by the PFC. Coalition Director Pamela “Ela” Orenstein said the previous director didn’t make her aware of budgeting procedures so she didn’t know about the hearing process until an e-mail was sent to her stating the group was going to lose funding. PFC Senator Eden Cortez said he wasn’t happy about the group’s disorganization.
“It’s bad it had to come down to this,” Cortez said. “It’s hard to know that you, a co-director, didn’t know about that (request procedure).”
The PFC motioned not to de-fund the group and gave them $13,920, a 1.3 percent increase to pay for speakers and catering for the Coalition’s Environmental Justice Conference, held every year.
Students for Choice received $2,611, a 1.2 percent increase, to pay for activities related to the anniversary of Roe Vs. Wade, World AIDS Day, National Condom Day and stipends for workers.
“We are very vocal,” Niemeitz said.
The group recently attracted new members with a table at the EMU,
offering cake and condoms, she said.
The Center for Sustainable Livingreceived $525, a 75 percent boost. The group holds workshops throughout the year on recycling and composting and teaches students and the public environmentally friendly lifestyles. The University is giving the group a house to remodel to showcase “green” building techniques.
Kultura Pilipinas received $2,512, a 4.4 percent increase, to pay for Culture Night, guest speakers and a conference to network with other Filipino student groups in the Northwest.
The Committee for Musical Arts received $4,905, the same allotment as last year. The group said it will bring two ensembles and one
instrumentalist to campus.
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