The Oregon Commentator waited two weeks for an explanation of the tabling of its mission statement in its Jan. 21 budget hearing. But during Tuesday’s ASUO Programs Finance Committee’s meeting, the PFC made an unanimous decision to pass the statement without giving a clarification for its decision.
“We were obviously upset the PFC tabled our budget because of a legal misunderstanding, but the manner in which they immediately passed the mission statement in our second hearing vindicates our original position,” Commentator publisher Bret Jacobson said.
PFC Chairwoman Mary Elizabeth Madden refused to comment about the PFC’s final decision, but PFC member Erin Pursell said it had become clear to the committee that no real issue existed.
“I am glad the PFC took a second and did not pass it right away, to allow us to become more in tune to the new incidental fee guidelines,” Pursell said. “I do not think it was appropriate for us to ask the Commentator to change its mission statement, but I am glad we looked at it further.”
Pursell said she looked extensively at the Supreme Court’s Southworth decision to acquire a better understanding of “viewpoint neutrality” to make her final decision. She said other members of the PFC asked for advice from the administration for their decisions.
The Commentator’s 2002-03 budget increased from $14,086 to $15,124 — a 7.4 percent increase from the 2001-02 school year.
The PFC combined the budgets for Project Saferide and Night Ride, allocating $61,032, a 38.1 percent increase from last year’s $44,194 budget.
Madden said the PFC increased Project Saferide’s budget to accommodate Night Ride as a new addition to its program.
Before heading into the appeals process, the PFC allocated $300 to the Warsaw Sports Marketing Club, a new student group that helps sports marketing majors learn about sponsoring sporting events.
MEChA received an increase in its multicultural line item during the appeals process, increasing its budget from $16,496 to $16,826.
The PFC also voted to hear the Pre-Dental Club’s appeal and the Model United Nation’s appeal for its nonexistent budget. The MUN had not expected to have a program for the 2002-03 year.
“Basically, all but four members graduated last year, and we did not anticipate the number of sophomores and freshmen who have shown interest in our program,” Model United Nations director of operations Joe Streckert said.
The PFC’s overall allocation for student groups — before the appeals and recalls process — stands at $1,650,790.
During the remainder of the hearing, the PFC decided which groups will be recalled to accommodate for the $536,000 miscalculation in the PFC budget. All PFC-funded groups were divided into two groups for possible recalls, Tier 1 and Tier 2. All programs in the Tier 1 category will be recalled and their hearings are scheduled for Feb. 7, 11 and 12. The PFC will decide on Feb. 14 if any student groups in Tier 2 need to be recalled to further trim the budget.
The recall hearing schedule will be posted at the ASUO controllers office.