Groups may be liable for deficits
ERIN LaRUFFA
Associate News Editor
The Financial Management Board submitted to the Student Senate Wednesday night an amendment to the Student Union constitution that would require certain student groups, such as the senate itself, to repay funds if they exceed their allotted budgets.
"Groups within the Student Union shall budget as necessary to ensure that they spend only the dollar amount allocated during each fiscal year," read the resolution, which the senate will vote on at its meeting next week.
In addition to the senate, the resolution, if passed, will apply to the office of the student body president, the Student Union Board, class councils, Judicial Council and Hall Presidents' Council.
The amendment is necessary because all Student Union groups draw money from one account, FMB's Jennifer Wolfe told senators. Although each group has a specific allotted amount of money to spend each year, currently there is nothing in place to prevent a group from using more money than is in its budget.
"In the past, if a group overspent, there was no punishment," said Wolfe. "We'd have a group overspend by $20,000 and never have to pay it back."
This situation is problematic, she added, because the FMB must then find a way to replace the money missing from its general fund.
Wolfe added that the Club Coordination Council already has a system in place to prevent the campus clubs it oversees from spending too much.
"We're trying to make our rules more like the clubs," Wolfe said.
Also at the senate's meeting Wednesday night, senate diversity committee co-chairs Nikki McCord and Elizabeth Lenn told the senate about the retreat their committee held recently for dorm multicultural commissioners.
About 25 commissioners participated, according to Lenn.
"I was excited by the turnout," she said.
The commissioners who attended the retreat developed several ideas for programs to run for students.
"These ideas will lead the way to excellent events on campus," McCord said.
In other senate news:
u Next Wednesday, instead of holding its weekly meeting in LaFortune, the senate will hold its meeting at Keough Hall, according to student body vice president Brian Moscona. The senate hopes that by holding its meeting in residence halls, more students will attend and voice their opinions.
"We want to have an interactive meeting," said Moscona, who chairs the senate. He added that next week's senate meeting will have a more casual and informal format than usual.
All News Stories for Thursday, January 24, 2002
