The student government approved its last budget of the semester during a meeting on Thursday, with final decisions on funding eligibility still pending for a couple of student organizations.
The Student Services Finance Committee approved the Associated Students of Madison’s Bus Pass Program budget at $4,031,400 after contemplating suggestions to make changes to the SAFECab service.
SSFC Chair Manes said SAFECab dealt with the issue of students abusing the service in the past and decided to make a cut in funding and services last year.
Representative Peter Lorenz said he has heard a lot of student complaints about SAFECab not working effectively. Lorenz wanted to know what was standing in the way of having a student-run cab program.
Manes said a similar program was proposed by a member of ASM earlier this year, but it was too expensive, and the University of Wisconsin’s Office of Risk Management would not approve the program.
ASM Buss Pass Program Coordinator Margaret Bergamini said the program needs student input on what they think needs to be improved.
“Given there has been concern about these programs …, I would strongly encourage and assist students to get together and talk about alternatives,” Bergamini said.
The ASM Bus Pass Program budget decision marked the end of SSFC’s official budget business for the semester.
Over the year, SSFC had a couple of its decisions appealed to the Student Judiciary.
The Wisconsin Student Public Interest Research Group was denied funding during its first funding eligibility hearing in front of SSFC.
After WISPIRG won a second eligibility hearing, it was denied funding again. WISPIRG appealed to the Student Judiciary again, and a decision has yet to be delivered on the case.
Another student organization, Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow, was initially denied funding by SSFC as well.
CFACT also won its appeal to the Student Judiciary and is awaiting its second eligibility hearing.
Both eligibility decisions are still pending, even though SSFC’s report will be sent to Chancellor Biddy Martin next week.
ASM Chair Brandon Williams said revisions can be made to the report at a later date if necessary and have been made in the past.
“It isn’t typical, but it is not unheard of,” Williams said.
