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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.