The ASUO Student Senate met last night to approve benchmarks — the upper limits on incidental fee budgets — for the ASUO Program Finance Committee, ASUO Athletic Department Finance Committee and the EMU Board.
PFC asked for a 16.15 percent increase in their budget from last year. Committee members said the increase was because of new University groups asking for funds, and increases in printing costs, advertising costs and health insurance costs.
The senate voted first to increase the budget by 15 percent, with some senators arguing that funds were tight and 15 percent would be enough. That motion failed 8 to 9. The next motion called for a 16.15 percent increase. It was approved 10 to 7.
ADFC members asked for a 9.5 percent increase in the group’s benchmark. They said the funds would be used for student tickets for six football games and 13 basketball games during the next school year. Two of the football games would take place before the school year begins on September 29, 2003. The funds would continue to give students free access to other University sporting events next year. The senate approved this motion 16 to 1.
EMU Board representatives asked for a 7 percent increase in their benchmark. They said the increase was required primarily because minimum wage student salaries, which constitute 61 percent of the EMU’s budget, have increased. The majority of senators agreed, and the motion was approved 16 to 1.
Senators also appointed a new member. University senior Alex Dietrich was named to Senate Seat 2 by a 16 to 1 vote.
“I realize the importance of all the programs that (the University) has, because these programs provide opportunities for everybody,” Dietrich said.

— Roman Gokhman