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Catholic student organization sees budget cut in half
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by Isla Axelrod
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
The Student Services Finance Committee cut more than half of the University of Wisconsin Roman Catholic Foundation’s budget request during a meeting Monday night. SSFC also heard the budget requests of the Greater University Tutoring Service and the Polygon Engineering Student Council, and both are scheduled to be decided on during the committee’s Thursday hearing.
After much debate among SSFC representatives and waiting over the weekend for the final vote on the budget, the committee approved of a total allocation cut of $55,607 to the Roman Catholic Foundation, lowering allocation to $42,610. The foundation, which is located in Saint Paul’s Catholic Center on Library Mall, requested $89,179, up from their allocation last year of $42,160. However, the foundation requested the larger amount of $170,203 during last year’s allocation hearings.
SSFC cut $2,093 from the foundation’s request for computer help-desk employee salaries. In addition, SSFC cut $34,427.03 from the rent-line item in the budget, made a $2,960.10 reduction to eliminate a student-event coordinator position and dropped $3,000 asked for two laptops.
“[My prior voting record shows that I am] not in favor of giving laptops,” Kevin Otten, SSFC member, said.
Polygon’s group requested a modest 5.9 percent increase of about $400. SSFC heard the engineering group’s request of $7,200. Polygon said its two main goals were to serve as an umbrella group for the 50 student engineering organizations on campus and to host several events with a similar focus. The group decided to not ask for funds going toward its annual “Battle of the Bands,” an issue of much contention last year.
GUTS had four main components to its budget request, including the expansion of the study skills and conversational English programs, the creation of two senior coordinator roles and the addition of funding to cover overhead costs. The group’s total request amount was not available at press time.
Last night’s decision increased the total amount allocated to student organizations this year by SSFC to more than $1,193,000. This is more than a 4 percent increase of the amount given to the same groups approved for funding last year by the student governing body. Last year’s amount for the organizations, more than $1,144,000, has swelled by nearly $50,000, and budget hearings are planned to run through November.
—Matthew Dolbey contributed to this article
Anonymous (October 12, 2004 @ 2:15am):
"After much debate among SSFC representatives and waiting over the weekend for the final vote on the budget, the committee approved of a total allocation cut of $55,607 to the Roman Catholic Foundation, lowering allocation to $42,610. The foundation, which is located in Saint Paul's Catholic Center on Library Mall, requested $89,179, up from their allocation last year of $42,160. However, the foundation requested the larger amount of $170,203 during last year's allocation hearings."
Ok, I know this is a student paper, but what in god's name does this paragraph even mean? There is money involved I know that much.
In the great tradition of this school I say take the writer and SHOOT'EM LIKE A HORSE!!!!
Anonymous (October 12, 2004 @ 8:19am):
I'm not even catholic, but I would sure like to get a piece of the legal action on this one. Name one other group that has received a percentage cut anywhere approaching this one. Clear cut discrimination on the basis of religion...
Anonymous (October 12, 2004 @ 12:27pm):
Amen, anonymous!
Anonymous (October 12, 2004 @ 2:59pm):
This article tactifully includes misleading information about the SSFC process. You could have mentioned that before the DEP budget passed last week the council had actually cut the overall funding of seg fee dollars this year and that this budget alone caused for the increase. Or pehaps not even include that piece of bullshit in the first place seeing that it unfairly groups all orgs together. The 11th session of SSFC have done a fabulous job of being fiscally responsible while still maintaining a positive relationship with other GSSF funded orgs/programs. Why not speak about the fact that SSFC cut MCSC's budget by tens of thousands of dollars compared to what was approved for 04-05 and that MCSC actually proposed over $200k less than last year. Now I am not by any means condoning anything simply stating facts as you have done.
Now lets look at the real numbers. The term "swelling" and already 4% are used to describe the budgets for how many orgs total. The organizations make up what percentage of all GSSF funded student orgs (including ASM administrative costs)? The student orgs make up how much of all allocable seg fees per year? Is DEP a student organization and were they included in this figure? Since DEP is NOT a student org they should NOT have been included in this figure the way they were. What is that percentage increase not including DEP? What is the percentage of allocable seg fees to the overall amount of seg fees? What percentage is this to the overall cost of tuition in/state & out of state?
It is very frustrating to always see one paper trying its hardest to mislead the students into conflict with each other over what amounts to less than a $1.25 increase in tuition for all students. It seems like the B.H. paper is more adept at presenting information in the similar fashion as political campaigns than truly providing students with a voice and empowerment. Stop allowing individual groups of students, regardless of background, to use this paper as their means of spreadig midsleading and divisive propaganda throughout campus. 06!!!!!!
UW Alumni, Former SSFC & ASM member, current UW Staff,
Anonymous (February 11, 2005 @ 4:19pm):
"shoot 'em like a horse"...I hardly think that your comments are even worth writing considering your neanderthal-like intelligence. If you post anonymously so as to not recieve rebuke, so will I.
