The Associated Students of Madison voted Thursday evening to leave the student organization budget intact, leaving the chancellor and the Board of Regents as the only potential obstacle to a historic budget increase.
After brief debate over one budget, the student council voted to leave every budget exactly as approved by the Student Services Finance Committee, the group responsible for student service budget allocations. The council’s approval could possibly mean a $28 increase in student fees for UW-Madison students next year.
Out of the $2.8 million budget, the only debate focused on SSFC’s highly controversial $555,467 Multicultural Student Center allocation. During an open forum at the meeting, students and committee members argued about this particularly large budget.
ASM Diversity Liaison Jennifer Epps was one of many who asked ASM to leave the MCSC budget intact.
“I really think that it is important that we fully trust the work that SSFC has done,” Epps said.
ASM and SSFC member Scott Spector agreed.
“We give each group money based on their ability to provide a service,” Spector said. “I do not support any cuts on these budgets.”
However, many other students, including graduate student and former SSFC member Rellen Hardtke, vehemently opposed the budget increase.
“I have seen my friends take out bank loans to pay seg fees just to be a student here,” Hardtke said. “Think of the hundreds of painful dollars students pay each year against their will. Please do not play loose with other people’s money, you’re playing with their dinner money, I swear it.”
SSFC chair Lamont Smith agreed money could be tight for students, but told ASM that MCSC and other groups provide a valuable service.
“I’ve tried to deposit change in TYME machines before to cover checks,” he said. “I’ve been there. But think of how much extra can be brought to this campus for an additional $28.”
MCSC’s $111,313 budget for a new office became a major debate. However, most ASM members were satisfied when MCSC chair Tshaka Barrows said $55,000 of the approved figure was for renovation of the office space on Gorham Street, and was a one-time, necessary expense.
When ASM approved SSFC’s decision 17-3, with six abstaining, emotions ran high.
“ASM’s decision was highly irresponsible,” SSFC member Matt Modell said. “Now, in the future, the sky’s the limit for student groups. This council passed an 84-percent increase with very few questions asked and no amendments. Students should know they will be paying $10,000 for carpet for MCSC next year.”
ASM member Elizabeth Stinebaugh was also upset with the final decision.
“I want to apologize to the student population. I wasn’t brave enough to make the amendments that needed to be made,” Stinebaugh said. “The budget would have been passed anyway, but it is important that students know there is someone on student council who doesn’t agree with the seg-fee increases.”
In contrast, ASM member Joel Laskowski was happy with the final budget decisions.
“I’m ecstatic that the student council has renewed their commitment to student-funded services,” he said. “The budget passed will benefit my business school constituents and I am proud to be a part of this process.”
