Nine groups received budgets for 2003-04 from the ASUO Programs Finance Committee Thursday. The Lane Transit District’s University service and ASUO Executive budgets were the largest, totaling $526,409 and $289,833 respectively, and among the most debated proposals.
The committee heatedly discussed the ASUO Executive budget proposal, and ASUO’s large delegation lobbied forcefully for a 23.38 percent increase over the current year.
The major point of contention was a $500 request for potential special election fees. The committee had reservations about allocating funds to what it saw as a pre-emptive line-item for a potential one-time expense. However, after more than an hour of discussion, ASUO’s budget was passed as proposed, prompting praise from ASUO officials.
Lane Transit District’s budget received the largest reduction to its 2003-04 proposal. Campus bus services, most specifically the Breeze line, are funded at a rate of $8.25 per student, per term. LTD Service Planning and Marketing manager Andy Vobora presented a budget calling for a $1 increase fee per student, per term.
Although the committee said LTD provides a valuable service, the increase was deemed too steep. The ASUO Executive recommendation of $556,437, a $99,000 increase from this year’s budget, was reduced to $526,409, and the revised budget passed unanimously. This translates into a 50 cent increase per student, per term, a 15.15 percent total increase from the current budget. Vobora said he would appeal the decision.
“This program could be terminated,” Vobora said, after PFC refused to approve his initial proposal.
The Community Internship Program also hit a snag in its presentation when the committee discovered the job description for a community outreach coordinator was not included in the budget packet. PFC unanimously passed a revised budget of $13,515, 1.696 percent decrease, based on spending patterns from the past three years.
In addition, the Land Air Water group, an organization working with the law school, asked for $17,548, but only received $16,948, a 1.66 percent decrease. The committee was unwilling to fund a traditional LAW rafting trip, which the group said was essential to the organization’s recruitment process.
There was also some debate surrounding the Black Student Union budget. The group had not used a stipend given to the assistant program coordinator in the past two years, prompting the committee to cut funding for the position. While the representatives of the BSU initially objected, they eventually settled on a budget of $17,662, a 9.49 percent decrease from this year’s budget.
Other groups’ budget presentations went more smoothly. Disability Service Project’s budget of $11,150 passed with no debate and the blessing of the committee, with a 3.24 percent increase.
“I would like to commend (DSP) for their use of resources,” PFC member Mike Martell said.
PFC gave the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Educational and Support Services Programs a budget of $18,315, a 10.66 percent increase for 2003-04. The Hong Kong Students Association budget of $2,405 was approved with a decrease of 7.36 percent. Designated Driver Shuttle also received a 3.67 percent decrease, lowering the group’s budget to $86,821.
Andrew Shipley is a freelance writer for the Emerald.