2008 Woodie Awards
Strapped BRC denies half of fund requests
Jessica Torrez Riley
Issue date: 12/6/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 3 next >
A spike in large-scale requests from student groups forced the Budget Review Committee (BRC) to cut nearly half the proposed funding requested during a six-hour meeting last night. The process left speakers like Danny Glover and events like the former Student Activities Program of the Year, Staff Appreciation Day, on the cutting room floor.
The BRC, a subcommittee of the Student Government Association (SGA), is charged with allocating nearly $1.7 million collected annually from the undergraduate student activities fee.
Under a new method of funding enacted at the end of last spring, the BRC separates the $850,000 set aside for student group programming into six different funding periods based on the average dollar amounts allocated in previous years.
At the six-hour meeting that ended at 11:30 last night, roughly $225,000 was requested for 18 events in the February to mid March time period, said Chris Kelley, BRC Chair and SGA vice president for financial affairs. However, only $110,000 was budgeted for that funding period.
"I was surprised the spike was as big as it was," Kelley said, attributing it to an increase in student leadership and more student groups willing to take on large programs.
The BRC unanimously approved events like the Northeastern University Downhillers' annual weekend ski trips (about $24,300), the Northeastern African Student Association's "Africa Night 2007" (about $8,150), and the Northeastern Black Student Association's (NBSA) "The Souls of Black Folk" (about $16,880).
However, tight budget restrictions the forced the committee cut three programs.
With five yes votes and two abstentions, the BRC cut funding for the Latin American Student Organization's (LASO) Staff Appreciation Day ($1,684), on grounds that the program was not in line with LASO's mission statement.
"Our mission is to advance our culture and preserve our identity through continuous innovation, developing leaders and getting involved in the community" according to LASO's website.
The BRC, a subcommittee of the Student Government Association (SGA), is charged with allocating nearly $1.7 million collected annually from the undergraduate student activities fee.
Under a new method of funding enacted at the end of last spring, the BRC separates the $850,000 set aside for student group programming into six different funding periods based on the average dollar amounts allocated in previous years.
At the six-hour meeting that ended at 11:30 last night, roughly $225,000 was requested for 18 events in the February to mid March time period, said Chris Kelley, BRC Chair and SGA vice president for financial affairs. However, only $110,000 was budgeted for that funding period.
"I was surprised the spike was as big as it was," Kelley said, attributing it to an increase in student leadership and more student groups willing to take on large programs.
The BRC unanimously approved events like the Northeastern University Downhillers' annual weekend ski trips (about $24,300), the Northeastern African Student Association's "Africa Night 2007" (about $8,150), and the Northeastern Black Student Association's (NBSA) "The Souls of Black Folk" (about $16,880).
However, tight budget restrictions the forced the committee cut three programs.
With five yes votes and two abstentions, the BRC cut funding for the Latin American Student Organization's (LASO) Staff Appreciation Day ($1,684), on grounds that the program was not in line with LASO's mission statement.
"Our mission is to advance our culture and preserve our identity through continuous innovation, developing leaders and getting involved in the community" according to LASO's website.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Micahel Gonzalez
Michael
posted 12/06/06 @ 9:15 PM EST
NU Conspiracy !! lol..all jokes aside
Barnabas Collins
posted 12/17/06 @ 1:55 AM EST
Hmmmm....they need space for speakers.......
how about the NU. Arena, the Ballroom in the Student Center, or maybe the Blackman Auditorium a tad farther in
advance?
How about the Cabot Gym? How about the Cafeteria in the Student Center?
Post a Comment