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SSFC begins budget process
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by Heather Quitos
Friday, October 7, 2005
The University of Wisconsin Student Services Finance Committee began its budget process for the 2006-07 fiscal year Thursday.
The committee held budget hearings for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Campus Center, SAFE Nighttime Services and Vets for Vets, a veteran-benefits organization.
Each organization presented its budget requests to the SSFC and answered questions from committee members.
LGBTCC presented an overview of the organization's programs and services, which includes a resource library, mentoring program, outreach bureau and a number of educational programs.
"We serve to be a safe space where students can meet together, find one another and talk together," LGBTCC director Eric Trekell said.
The organization has four main changes in its budget: less money for travel and an increase in funds for salaries, advertising and programming.
"Most of our increase requests are for funding new programs," Trekell said. "We certainly provide services found nowhere else on campus."
The main concern for SSFC members was the requests for co-sponsorship and advertising funds.
SSFC representative Zach Frey also asked the LGBTCC to justify co-sponsorship programs for organizations that did not receive direct funds from SSFC.
Trekell said LGBTCC would "almost always" agree to co-sponsorship programs, but the organization never has the adequate funding.
Members were also worried about LGBTCC's use of advertising funds, which the campus center did not use in their entirety last year. Trekell ensured the committee that all funds would be used.
"Our goal [this year] is to institute an advertising campaign … to advertise in a consistent fashion," Trekell said.
SSFC also heard from SAFE Nighttime Services, which requested more money to reach a 50 percent split cost with the university's transportation services.
SAFE, with its bus, cab and partner-walk services, does not plan any changes to the program, but requests a 28 percent increase in funds due to Madison Metro transit system demands.
SSFC members questioned the reason for the requested increase in funds.
"If the program exhausted all its funds but the transportation services had $90,000 left over, how can such a discrepancy happen?" representative Barbara Kiernoziak asked.
TDM program manager Renee Callaway said the increase would act to absorb costs for transportation and fuel for the SAFE bus, which accounts for 97 percent of the service.
Vets for Vets also presented its budget request to the SSFC.
The organization's primary function is to help campus veterans receive all their benefits. It requested money for programs and computer-software upgrades.
SSFC's main concern was the request for computer-software funds. However, Vets for Vets informed the committee its current computer equipment is nearly six years old.
"It's possible that we have underestimated what we really need now that we're not with the Office of the Registrar," Michael Coller, vice president of Vets for Vets, said.
SSFC will not decide each organization's budget until next Monday, but SSFC Chair Rachelle Stone said the hearings are necessary to determine the amount of funding each organization will receive.
"I thought the meeting was really productive," Stone said. "I was impressed with how the committee did. They really did their research."
