The Programs Finance Committee began the first round of budget appeal hearings Monday, reconsidering budgets for the Japanese Student Organization and House of Film, which had initially been defunded.
The PFC didn’t allocate money to the groups originally, because both had failed to appear at their first budget hearings.
The Japanese Student Organization received $3,225, a near 12 percent decrease from its 2000-2001 budget, although the group had asked for an 8 percent increase.
JSO had asked for the increase to help support its new program that focuses on career planning for Japanese students. The program would bring guest speakers, offer lectures and provide students with materials to help them find jobs in Japan for after graduation.
PFC members didn’t allocate the requested increase because they considered this career-oriented program to fall under “professional development,” which legally isn’t supposed to be funded by student incidental fees.
PFC Chair Mary Elizabeth Madden said other groups such as law and medical organizations had faced the same problem in their budgets. A few of these groups wished to use incidental fees for programs that prepared students for specific tests or supplied materials that would help them get into particular graduate schools.
“It’s not a benefit to all students because it’s geared towards specific students,” Madden said.
JSO Vice President Keiko Omizo, who plans to appeal, disagreed with the professional development rule. She said career- focused programs will help all international students in the long run.
“I understand what they’re saying,” she said. “But if we could start this program, other student groups could also start, and it’s important for students’ futures. I really want to make this happen.”
The PFC approved the House of Film’s budget and allocated $300 to the group.
OSPIRG, which is going on the ballot this year for funding, was defunded for not appearing at its meeting. The group did not submit a budget because it doesn’t wish to use incidental fees.
The PFC will hear five appeals in the next week. A group may appeal to the committee three times, and then it can appeal to the ASUO Student Senate.