MCLA Beacon Online

By Ed Damon

Staff Writer

Student Government Association voted to pass The Budget and Finance Committee’s budget recommendation in full Monday, with the exception of The Christian Fellowship which was tabled. The budget was passed despite senators’ objections that many clubs didn’t have enough of a chance to represent themselves.

The total available budget for 2011 is $430,000. SGA allotted $316,300 to the 28 recognized clubs and organizations, and $113,700 for its own operating budget. Remaining is a balance of $36,692.49.

Senator Kathryn Collins motioned to pass the budget as-is after SGA Treasurer Jason Kaufman presented what each club would receive.

Senator Todd Foy, a sophomore, questioned why they had discussed the budget at last week’s meeting if club representatives couldn’t speak at this week’s meeting.“This is the biggest responsibility we have every year,” he said. “We should address different clubs that we already know there’s an issue with.”Senate Representative Costia Karolinski agreed with Foy. "We can’t just put this through, because many clubs aren’t being represented,” he said.

Many clubs were getting much less than they requested, and in some cases, less than they received last year. NEXXUS received $2,300, $3,000 less than requested and $900 less than the club received for 2010. The Beacon requested $7,200 to replace old computers and a printer, but was denied the majority of that funding. The BFC proposed a budget of $16,970 to cover The Beacon’s printing costs. WJJW was denied money for equipment to stream the radio online.

Some clubs received more than they requested. Harlequin received $13,998, $2,220 more than requested. SAC received $140,200, $3,200 more than requested. Kaufman reminded the members that there was a remaining balance in the SGA account still. If clubs needed more money, he said, they could request it. “This is the first time we have had a surplus in a while,” he said. “We aren’t looking to give out money just to give it out, that would be foolish. The BFC came up with the budget looking for hours at each club.”

According to Kaufman, Dance Company’s original request wasn’t done correctly. “We had to go by what was on the budget request,” he said. “The money for the Mass MoCA show wasn’t on it in the first place.”The Christian Fellowship had its budget tabled because the club doesn’t have an E-Board, said SGA Treasurer Jason Kaufman.