While wrapping up its first round of budget hearings Tuesday, the ASUO Programs Finance Committee faced its most significant struggle when it cut the Black Women of Achievement’s budget by 11.9 percent.
It was the first decrease of the night, and most of the decreases were in programming funds.
The BWA didn’t spend a lot of its funds last year, and it transferred much of its money out of one of its event accounts. No one, however, could explain where that money went and what it was for.
BWA co-director Etopi Fanta asked the PFC to reconsider the cut, explaining that the group was trying to get back on its feet. Fanta promised that the new staff would be more careful with spending habits, but it would need money to achieve its goals.
“How can we take the next step unless we’re given some kind of leeway?” she said. “We know we’re capable [of it], but unless we have the means to do it, there’s no way we can.”
PFC Vice Chair Randy Newnham argued that considering the BWA’s rollovers and mysterious transfers, the PFC’s cut was a fair decision.
“Based upon that, this really isn’t a cut,” he said.
On the other end of the scale, Programs and Assessments, which assists ASUO programs with equipment costs and budgetary procedures, received a sizable increase — 62 percent. Much of the increase will cover payroll expenses, such as a 30 percent pay increase for the ASUO accounting coordinator, who will be paid $7,555 because of extra responsibilities associated with the position.