In what might have been the shortest Programs Finance Committee meeting of the term, the PFC granted itself a nearly 41 percent increase for next year’s budget on Tuesday.
Much of the increase is in response to a new stipend model that will go into effect next year. The new model standardizes stipend amounts for all ASUO programs, so the monthly pay students receive for their work may increase in some cases.
The committee allocated the Pre-Dental Club, beginning its second year with about 20 members, $455. Although this amount was significantly less than their request of $760, co-President Boaz Yung said the outcome has motivated him to spend the group’s budget carefully and prioritize finances.
“For the most part, they justified why they took off what they did,” he said. “And this helps us focus more on where the money should go.”
ASUO controller Danielle Hathaway recommended that both groups increase fundraising efforts.
“I think fundraising makes the group stronger and everyone gets to see them more on campus,” she said. “It would benefit the group and other students as well.”