Saturday was a quiet day for
the Programs Finance Committee. The committee allocated funds to two groups in straightforward hearings and de-funded 12 others that did not turn in budgets or come to the hearing.
The PFC approved the University Theater’s $32,000 budget, a 4.06 percent increase, with little debate.
Development Director Joseph Gilg said the University Theater has a long history on campus, entertaining local residents before the symphony, ballet and opera were established in town. Through the years it has moved toward focusing on the quality rather than the quantity of productions.
“We try to do a very eclectic range of plays,” Gilg said, adding that the theater offers not only entertainment, but a valuable training ground for students.
The executive recommendation initially proposed only $1,250 for the theater’s Mad Duckling Summer Theatre, which features shows for young children and families. Gilg, who had requested $2,500, said he was disappointed by the recommendation because the program has been getting $2,500 through requests to the ASUO Senate, and he had the impression that funding for the program would
continue to increase.
“I feel betrayed by this,” he said.
ASUO Finance Coordinator Mike Martell said he arrived at
the $1,250 figure because “all
recommendations are being kept at current service levels.”
However, PFC Member Dan
Kieffer made a motion to increase the amount to $2,500, saying
that it was evident the group had done a good job with its money
in the past to fund the Mad
Duckling series.
The Oregon Voice received $10,016, a 1.5 percent increase.
Editor in chief Jennifer Hill said the money would help the feature magazine, which publishes seven issues a year, buy licensed
computer software and other
supplies. The magazine also hopes to host issue release parties to help publicize the product.
“We’ve been really diligent about spending our money and gaining the trust of the PFC back,” Hill said.
Oregon Voice chose to cut down its telephone and long distance budget so they could have more funding in other areas, PFC
Controller Carie Henderson said, adding that the group had spent its money well.
“They put out a great product with what they spend,” Henderson said.
Although the magazine requested $11,471, Henderson said
she was happy with the final figure and the motion to increase the
issue release budget to $500 from the original executive recommendation of $352.
The PFC defunded the Philosophy Club, the Pacific Wine Law
Society, the European Student Association, and the Gaming Club. The Coalition Against Environmental Racism, the House of Film, the Malaysian Students Organization, and Model United Nations also had their budgets axed, as did the Native American Law Students Association and Pacific Club. These groups did not turn in their budgets, PFC member Eden Cortez said.
Some groups, such as the Model United Nations and Philosophy Club, had already been cut off
the incidental fee roll this year. Cortez said groups must be defunded three years in a row before they are completely eliminated from the PFC’s list of groups that receive
incidental fees.
PFC:12 groups denied funding; budgets approved for two
Daily Emerald
January 24, 2005
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