Accusations and controversy filled the EMU Rogue Room Tuesday night at the ASUO Programs Finance Committee meeting.
Standing in the center of it all was OSPIRG.
The Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group went before PFC to appeal its original budget allocation of $82,320.
ASUO Executive recommended PFC allocate more money than originally given to OSPIRG, which would have changed its budget decrease from 31.87 percent to only 18.7 percent.
PFC programs appointee Joy Nair disagreed with the ASUO Executive recommendation to raise OSPIRG’s funding to $98,223.
“It’s sad to see the committee really debate with $20, but you’re just letting $17,000 go right now,” she said.
PFC senator Mike Sherman, seat No. 3, responded to Nair, saying she needed to justify the use of Oregon State University numbers in the University of Oregon’s OSPIRG budget. Sherman pointed out that Nair had not addressed that issue at the hearing.
PFC at-large member James Tilford agreed with Nair, and made a motion to keep OSPIRG funding as it was. The motion died for lack of a second.
After Tilford’s failed motion, PFC called to question and voted on the Executive recommendation. It passed 4-2-1, allocating OSPIRG $98,223 — an 18.7 percent decrease from last year.
Concerned students and community members attended the appeal hearing to lend their approval or disapproval. Bret Jacobson, publisher for the Oregon Commentator, said that his main concern was OSPIRG’s fiscal unaccountability to the student body.
“I think the board is being responsible in looking at the principle of not wanting to fund activity at another campus,” he said in support of PFC’s original decision to cut OSPIRG’s budget to $82,320 for the 2003-04 year.
ASUO President Rachel Pilliod made a brief appearance to give support for
OSPIRG.
“Regardless of whatever your final decision is in terms of allocating their budget, I think (PFC) should commend the students for working with (PFC) on (its) budget.”
Campus radio station KWVA 88.1 had two hearings Tuesday.
After PFC voted 4-3-0 to hear the appeal, KWVA launched into its appeal hearing.
“This funding is crucial,” Charlotte Nisser, the general manager or KWVA, said in reference to the radio station’s request for more money to be allocated for equipment repair.
PFC disagreed.
“I think the budget was increased a healthy amount,” Martell said, referring to the 16.49 percent increase in funds PFC allocated KWVA during its first budget hearing.
PFC members agreed with Martell’s statement, and voted against an increase 6-0-1.
The Japanese Students Organization walked away from its appeal with a $100 increase in food holding for Japan Night, which brought its new budget to $4,034.
Both Child Care Subsidy and Conflict Resolution Services did not budget for mandatory increases in pay. PFC allocated each group the desired funds, giving Child Care Subsidy $235,162 and Conflict Resolution Services $51,447. The Community Internship Program also asked for an increase in payroll and received $14,905.
Baha’i was tabled until Thursday because members failed to show up to the hearing.