SAC allocates annual budgets

Annual budget allocations were announced at this week's Student Activities Commission (SAC) General Assembly (GA), marking a major event for all student groups on campus.

Members of the SAC started work at 7 a.m. on Saturday, examining group proposals and apportioning funds for 11 hours, according to SAC Executive Chairperson Noel DeSantos. DeSantos affirmed the success of this year's budget process, crediting the individual groups themselves.

"The success is a testament to all the groups who turned in annual budgets," said DeSantos. "They were written excellently."

DeSantos also recognized Assistant Treasurer Angela Chang, who compiled comprehensive notes and an itemized budget for the Student Life Office. According to DeSantos, this detailed report was a first for the SAC.

The SAC granted 91.15 percent of the total amount requested ($362,628.66) by doling out $330,535.68, the total amount allocated for annual budgets this year. The money remaining in the SAC contingency will be apportioned throughout the year on a case-by-case basis. This year's budget saw a more than seven percent increase in the amount of requested money that was actually granted. Last year, the SAC granted $272,065.03 of the $325,728 requested, giving only 83.52 percent.

This increase in allocated funds granted to Class A groups, who receive an annual budget, caused a decrease in the amount of money "left over" in the contingency, but DeSantos doesn't foresee any problems.

"As Class A groups write better budgets, they come to us less [for additional funding]," said DeSantos. "So there are plenty of funds available for other groups."

The group who received the largest single allocation was the Band, whose fund totaled $20,221.07. The second highest allocation was granted to the Barnstormers, whose budget total was $19,339.

According to Student Council Executive Secretary Manish Gala, the unanimous approval of the budget was a "good indicator" that the majority of the groups were satisfied with their budgets. Of the 58 groups, 50 received over 70 percent of what they asked for, and 66 percent received over 90 percent of their requested budgets.

Sophomore Sara Marten, the current assistant liaison for the Performing Arts group, agreed that although some groups were probably "mildly disappointed" with their budgets, the overall reaction was a positive one.

"We funded pretty much anything that was within funding policy," said Marten.

According to Marten, the SAC's guidelines for funding require that the request is an annual event, that the budget is lowest cost, and that it fits the qualifications of the funding policy.

The Religious Groups liaison, Ishwaria Chandramohan, expressed that her groups were satisfied with their budgets and were aware of the reasons for certain budgeting decisions.

"The Board has had to place spending caps on conference expenses and retreats to keep the allocations within reason since the SAC's monetary resources are finite," said Chandramohan. "While the groups didn't receive all of their retreats' expenses, they had a significant contribution from the SAC."

Although pleased with the efficiency of the process this year, Marten plans to promote even more awareness of funding policy, proper bookkeeping and effective fund-raising in the coming year.

She also suggested a review of certain policies regarding the Student Council budget, an allocation which she says remains untouched when necessary cuts are being made to keep an appropriate balance in the contingency

"Although the SAC is considered the budgeting arm of the Student Council, the final say is with the Student Council itself," said Marten.

Marten expressed frustration with the fact that the SAC "had to take money away from groups who would know how to use it, and couldn't touch the Student Council allocation."

A number of groups, namely the Black Student Union, the Film Society, the Mental Notes, the Sirens, Karate, Tai Kwan Do and WHSR, were late in submitting their budgets.

As a result, they will come back in May to have their budgets heard by the newly-elected board.

According to DeSantos, this is "not really that great of an inconvenience," as the delay is only about a month.

Even those groups who received significantly less than requested will have the opportunity to secure financing throughout the year. The Hopkins Republicans, who received the lowest allocation percentage-wise at 17.8 percent ($1,601.08), are one such group.

According to DeSantos, the low percentage was due to a modification; the group requested funding for four publications, and the SAC decided to fund only one, believing that the group should get one started before moving on to more.

Another plan of the Hopkins Republicans involved a Support America Day, which the SAC decided should be presented for funding later in the year, since it does not fit the criteria for an annual event.

The highest budget percentage-wise was that of Women's Soccer, who received 112.81 percent of requested funds. The group asked for certain funds at a lower cost than is standard for the SAC, and the budget was modified accordingly.

"We even adjusted up to make sure the budgets are fair for every group," said DeSantos.

Junior Elise Roecker, who has served for two years on the SAC, expressed that the now "remarkably quick" process resulted from a combination of "attentive and responsible groups" and a "concerted effort" on the part of the SAC.

"We put in a lot of time, and took the best interests of every group into account," said Roecker.

Nominations for next year's SAC liaisons were also held during the General Assembly, and the elections will take place on April 15. All of the nominees were returning members, and the majority will run unopposed.

The nominee for Performing Arts was current assistant Sara Marten, and the nominees for Cultural were DSAGA officer Jon Groce and current assistant Hope Kelaher.

Among the current liaisons renominated were Cheryl Adackapara for Political Action, Ishwaria Chandramohan for Religious, Evan Grove for Sports, Michael Seibert for Special Interests and Marisa Edelman for Publications.

Roecker, who has been elected Student Council Executive Treasurer and will serve as the SAC Executive Chairperson in the coming year, expressed confidence in the nominees.

"Whatever the results, we're looking at a good Executive Board next year," said Roecker.