By Amanda Alfanos, Editor-in-Chief
Student senators were called to a special session tonight to vote on the Spring 2011 budget and organizational allotments.
The regular Tuesday evening Senate meeting was moved to accommodate the unfinished financial business, said Kayla Masnek, secretary of finance for Student Government Association.
Senators decrease allotments by several thousand dollars
Senators approved about $12,000 in organizational allotments. No amendments were made on the item.
“They’re significantly lower than last semester, but everyone, including SGA is having to make budget cuts,” Masnek said.
Sen. Ciara Terry (theater) questioned why certain student organizations weren’t allotted funding.
Sen. David Scott (business) and appropriations chairman, said there had to be a cut off point for an allotment deadline.
“We repeatedly asked them to give information with their allotment form,” he said. “But just because there are one to two organizations that haven’t gotten back with us doesn’t mean we can postpone funding by three months, when we have 40 other organizations waiting.”
The allotments for Fall 2010 were delayed and not passed on the floor of Senate, Masnek said. The allotments were passed in April 2010, according to Student Publications archives.
“My computer crashed the day allotments were due last semester,” she said.
SGA funded more than $18,000 in organizational allotments for Fall 2010, according to Student Publications archives.
Leaders amend salaries, pass SGA budget
Student Senators passed the Spring 2011 budget after amending two employees’ salaries. Ryan Schwartzman and Jalisa Ross’ stipends were tweaked.
Schwartzman, executive assistant to the president, had an initial stipend of $600, which was amended to $500. Senate Secretary Ross’ stipend was adjusted from $400 to $500.
Sen. Scott raised concern that the employees weren’t paid the same amounts when their job duties are similar.
Senators passed the Spring 2011 budget by consent, which totals about $107,000.
Three organizations funded through rolling appropriations
- Entertainment business students were allotted $600 to pay for speakers for the Entertainment Business Conference. The students will pay the speakers, U.S. entertainment professionals, $100 each. The students initially requested $3,600 at $600 per speaker. The conference also is funded through the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management, Student Affairs and Trustee Ann Lacy. The total budget for the conference is $13,000, said Sen. Sheray Franklin (dance/arts management).
- United States Institute of Theatre Technology was given $1,900 to assist five students of the student-run chapter in attending the annual national conference. The organization originally asked for $2,190 to assist 10 students in attending. Sen. Ciera Terry (theater) said five students would be able to attend without financial assistance.
- Interfraternal Council was allotted $900 in conference registration fees for the national IFC conference. The student leaders initially requested financial assistance in purchasing plane tickets and hotel accommodations for five students and Corey Hill, Interfraternal Council adviser, totaling more than $3,100. Josh Attaway, Interfraternal Council President, said all OCU fraternity members will have to pay for the remainder of the funding.
Visit mediaocu.com tomorrow for more allotment details.
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