The ASUO has created a new stipend model that provides incentive for service in student groups by making higher-paid leadership positions available, but uncertainty expressed by the program leaders themselves may table the vote in tonight’s Senate meeting.
The ASUO Executive’s attempt to prevent program leaders from working significantly more hours than they’re paid for has received criticism from the leaders who are supposed to benefit from the change. The current stipend model is not meant to be an hourly wage, but is instead intended to reimburse the costs of supplies and other expenses incurred by group leaders.
ASUO Finance Coordinator Nick Hudson said the ASUO Executive, when creating the new model, looked at the hours leaders have to put in to make a program or governing body successful.
“The ASUO Executive values what program directors do on an everyday basis … so we felt it was necessary to solidify that belief that program directors are important,” Hudson said.
He also said the Executive realized that it would be “almost impossible” for program leaders to find the time to work other jobs while holding their current positions.
The new model would not increase membership, but it would increase incentives for students to take on leadership positions, Hudson said.
Programs Finance Committee members said the group leaders themselves hold mixed opinions about the proposed stipend model.
Scott Lu, a member of the PFC, which allocates student fees to programs, said none of the current program leaders he has met with was satisfied with the model.
The PFC as a whole remains uncertain regarding whether it should endorse the model or create an alternative one, said Jared Axelrod, PFC Chairman and Student Senate ombudsman.
Axelrod said he will take the concerns expressed during the PFC meeting Tuesday night and advise Senators tonight to allow more time for program leaders’ feedback, await majority approval from group leaders, and consider a different model.
“I think that most people want something different; I think that’s what most of the programs want and I have a feeling that’s what most (PFC members) want,” Axelrod said at Tuesday night’s PFC meeting.
“We could recommend that the Senate not approve the stipend model … because a lot of programs have problems with it,” Axelrod said.
PFC has until Nov. 9 to submit its annual percent increase over last year’s budget, so there is still time to reconfigure the numbers and classes before submitting a different proposal to the Senate for approval, he said.
Hudson said certain groups that provide vital services need these new stipends “in order to fully function and in order to provide the service that they do to students.”
ASUO President Adam Walsh added that “the reason we have student groups is to enhance the physical and cultural development of students.
“A lack of student groups is detrimental to that cause,” he said.
The Executive took suggestions and concerns expressed during two stipend working groups and implemented changes to the model based on those concerns, Hudson said.
The new model, Walsh said, also takes into account University President Dave Frohnmayer’s concern last year that incidental fee-funded programs have no regulated funding pattern for paid positions.
“Currently there is no rhyme or reason why some groups get one director and others get more,” Walsh said. The new model will fix that problem, he said.
The new model gives groups that receive $15,000 or more in student money funding for one director and three program coordinators. Groups that receive between $7,500 and $14,999 get one director and two coordinators. Those that receive between $1,000 and $7,499 get one director and one coordinator. Those that get $999 or less receive no funded positions.
Walsh said the original PFC budget increase was estimated at $60,000, $500 less than last year’s benchmark.
With the new model, the benchmark increase over last year’s PFC budget would be either $34,725 or $29,625, depending on whether the EMU Board of Directors and Student Senate decide to make KWVA, the University’s student-run radio station, an EMU-funded program instead of a PFC program.
Senate will vote to approve or deny the Executive’s proposed stipend model tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the EMU Board Room.
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