The U.S. Congress could learn a thing or two about fiscal responsibility from the Programs Finance Committee.
PFC Chairwoman Persis Pohowalla pushed for delaying the approval of any student group budget that includes stipends until January, when a new model for determining stipends will be finalized.
The delay was sparked by a letter from University President Dave Frohnmayer, which pointed out that some student groups spend as much as 70 percent of their budgets on stipends, leaving only 30 percent for programs.
Holding up the budget process was no doubt a difficult decision, but it was a fair one. We know many groups will be inconvenienced, unable to plan for next year until after winter break, and we sympathize. But it is a small price to pay in order to ensure that student money is not being thrown around carelessly, at least not in this particular instance. No budgets with stipends should be approved until the stipend model has been reworked across the board.
Unfortunately, this matter could have been dealt with long ago. Frohnmayer’s letter was sent to ASUO President Adam Petkun, ASUO Vice President Mena Ravassipour, and summer Senate President Rodrigo Moreno-Villamar over the summer. It went virtually ignored for months as the job of reworking the stipend model was passed from person to person with little progress.
Apart from passing the buck, we commend the student government for finally making the tough call and looking out for our money. We hope the ethic of fiscal responsibility continues to drive the PFC process.

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