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SSFC hears budget plans

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by Allie Tempus

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

The MultiCultural Student Coalition and Campus Women's Center presented their proposed budgets for the upcoming year before the Associated Students of Madison's Student Services Finance Committee Monday.

Before either of the budget hearings, however, MCSC boasted 17 individual supporters who spoke on behalf of the group during the meeting's open forum.

Supporters were both representatives from MCSC as well as members of other student organizations that have collaborated with the group, and individuals both spoke and performed to demonstrate MCSC's relevance to the student population.

"I think that the people that got up and performed were trying to give an example of what a poetry slam looks like," said SSFC Vice Chair Katrina Flores, who also serves as an executive staff member for MCSC. "The intent was not to just talk about it, but actually show it in action."

For their budget hearing presentation, MCSC provided a comprehensive presentation detailing positions, service divisions and committees within the organization.

During the question-and-answer session, SSFC repeatedly asked questions regarding the differences between the group's fall staff training, spring staff training and professional training.

"I just basically want to make sure we're not paying for something twice," said ASM Student Council SSFC appointee Jennifer Oh, who asked multiple questions regarding the trainings. "It's not that concerning, but just to differentiate programming."

Following questioning, MCSC representatives were surprised at the brevity of the session.

"We were expecting a two-hour, three hour-long question-and-answer (session)," MCSC administrative staff member Jamie Yancovitz said.

Yancovitz said the meeting's length was surprising because the MCSC budget was large with many things to cover.

"We did have a pretty solid presentation, and we did have a lot of people for Open Forum, so I think that answered a lot of questions for them," added MCSC leadership development specialist Kassie Hauser.

MCSC submitted a finalized budget of $356,800 to SSFC.

The Campus Women's Center followed MCSC, with financial coordinator Laura Sheets reading aloud to SSFC the organization's budget proposals.

SSFC representative Adam Porton, among others, posed questions regarding CWC's budget for a new computer and software. CWC's publications coordinator Chanel Matsunami Govreau addressed these questions, explaining the organization is in dire need of new technology to properly maintain their website and continue with the development of the group's new zine, Women in Red.

"I cannot be in the office doing my job because of the outdated software," Govreau said. "It's absolutely necessary that we get new computers so that all of the coordinators are able to access high-speed Internet, software, all of these things."

Further questions from SSFC centered on the Women's Learning Conference budget, concerning the need for transportation to and from the event and the number of members required to attend it.

Following the hearing, Sheets felt optimistic about the question-and-answer session.

"I trust that SSFC will allocate funds appropriately and best minimize the amount students spend in order to maximize the benefits that they'll receive," Sheets said.

Budget decisions for both MCSC and CWC will be made Thursday.

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