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The new University of Wisconsin Student Activity Center, which will open in January 2009, had its first budget approved by the Student Services Finance Committee Monday.

The budget for the SAC, which will go into effect starting fall 2010, will total $306,550. When the SAC opens in January, it will operate on a previously approved budget of $140,807 from January until June.

In order to be eligible for SSFC funding, a group must have students as the main focus of their organization, offer no credit for their services, reach a majority of UW students and have no equivalent organization on campus.

Additions to the SAC budget included an increase in the SAC floor manager salary by $2,000.

According to SAC Governing Board Chair Lauren Vollrath, this was a necessary change.

“The floor manager doesn’t have things like a desk, office space and other things he or she is going to need to buy to further his position,” Vollrath said. “We want to give the floor manager something to work with so he or she can do the best in his or her position. This will most likely cover things like office supplies, and is equal to other ASM chair stipends.”

Additionally, $3,615 was added to student salary fringe to be used for additional student salaries if needed.

SSFC also attached stipulations to various items of the budget, including a provision to the SAC programming fund, which stated the money could not be used for food.

“This keeps the SAC policies in line with those of other [General Student Services Fund] organizations,” SSFC Chair Kurt Gosselin said.

SSFC passed the budget by a vote of 7-0-1 with Representative Carl Fergus abstaining.

Vollrath said funds for SAC will not only help with the upkeep of the building and space through the hiring of student hourly and custodial positions, but will also be used to put on various programs to help student organizations function more efficiently. The funds will also be used to advertise space for rent in the building when it becomes available in 2011.

“The SAC will sponsor workshops and retreats on things like parliamentary training and neutrality viewpoint training,” Vollrath said.

Vollrath added programs would be held to help orientate students with the various organizations within the SAC.

The SAC is intended to provide a centralized location where numerous UW student organizations can work and collaborate.

The area, located in the new University Square, will include a study lounge, multipurpose room, kitchen, vending machines and other amenities.

In order for student organizations to receive space in the SAC, organizations must be a registered through the student organization office, have no intentional policy violations in the last two years, be either a GSSF group or ancillary fund group and use their space for a minimum of five hours per week throughout the academic year.