Thursday, April 28, 2011

SAFAC Budget Increases With High Student Enrollment

Impressive Budget Cannot Satisfy All Student Organizations
By Brandon Miles

Bemidji, MN- With the 2010-2011 school year coming to a close at Bemidji State University, the Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee, better known as SAFAC, received a $630,725 budget for the 2011-2012 school year. The budget is more than SAFAC has worked with in the past couple of years and this is due to the increased enrollment at BSU. Although SAFAC’s budget is a large number, they were unable to grant all of the requested funds.
According to BSU Today, the student enrollment is at an all time high, with a 33% increase in freshman enrollment over the past five years. The boosted enrollment has increased the amount of student organizations, which ultimately leads to an increased budget.
“In terms of funding, our current SAFAC budget is not large enough to support all of the requests,” said Bill Maki, vice president for finance and administration. There are over 40 student organizations and if they all receive the requested amount, SAFAC’s budget would be in a $150,000 deficit. 
 The American Indian Science and Engineering Society, an organization whose goal is to increase American Indian interest and participation in science and engineering, was only approved to receive $1,297. The approved funding amounts to 25% of the requested $5,082. A number of other programs are taking only a slight cut in funds such as the Talley Gallery, which had its request cut only by $20.
The University Theatre program is expected to take the largest cut in funding because of the recent university budget cut, which is not associated with SAFAC’s budget. The current approved budget is $17,868, roughly 50% less than the requested $41,000. This means less money for actors, equipment, professors, and other costs associated with producing plays. The program will be completely ceased after next year, due to the fact that the University Department was one of four departments at Bemidji State that will be dropped entirely from the curriculum.

Leah Palmer, Chairman fo SAFAC Takes Part in Student Senate Meeting
“The loss in funding is based on the fact that the University Theatre has been removed from the curriculum.” Said Leah Palmer, chairman for SAFAC. “The theatre will not be involved with the university, so we will be unable to provide them with funds.”
 Other programs either took zero cuts or were recommended to receive more than their original request. The Rugby Men's team, Ultimate Frisbee Club, and Habitat for Humanity will receive exactly what they requested, while the program for international students will receive an additional thousand dollars, according to the proposed plan.

Student Senat Discuss SAFAC Budget
Photo by Brandon Miles
"The budget plan may appear tight on money because some student organizations did not receive their requested amount,” said Palmer. “But we are working with more money than we’ve had in the past few years, which gives us the opportunity to have a multitude of student organizations.”
Although some student organizations did not receive their requested budgets, SAFAC reserved $20,000 for emergency funding and new student clubs that emerge during the year. Regardless of the organization that receives funding, the reserved money will be spent entirely on student organizations. SAFAC will have the ability to grant money toward any student organization that exceeds the given budget, runs into a financial dilemma such as the Northern Student, or funding new organizations
The Northern Student ran into financial troubles earlier this year after suffering from a budget cut and a failed business relationship with The Pioneer, SAFAC stepped in and provided emergency funds to keep the paper going. The Northern Student still was only approved for considerably less than requested. However, if the student paper or any other organization ran into this same dilemma, SAFAC could be more than capable of stepping in to lend a hand.
The budget plan created by SAFAC has yet to be approved by the Student Senate. Once the Senate approves the plan, whether it is the current proposal or one made in the near future, the budget has to be approved by Bill Maki. If the budget plan were to be approved, it is reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the early summer to get the final approval. If this were to happen, then all students of BSU will be notified via email of the budget plan that will be in effect for the last year.
"Hopefully, with the approval of our comprehensible budget plan, we can keep as many programs here at BSU as possible," says Palmer. "Everyone isn’t happy, but we are dealing with the situation the best we can with the resources given."





FY 2012 SAFAC RECOMMENDATIONS
FY2012 Request
FY12 Approved
Art Association
3,000
3,000
Advising success center
11,000
7,000
AISES
6,379
1,297
Biology Club
2,064
1,224
Campus Recreation
383,946
360000
Child Care
0
0
Chi Alpha
2,319
2,029
Club Mud
1,000
750
CMENC
3,994
1,190
Concert Choir
13,791
11060
Concert Series
7,000
7000
Computer Science Club
2,219
547
Council Ind. Students
7,000
6400
Dance Show
7,700
6000
Dance Team
1,687
919
Design Guild
1,609
901
Ducks Unlimited
470
259
Habitat for Humanity
1,233
1233
CAB
63,765
47411
InterVarsity
8,625
3636
International Students
2,100
3100
Jazz Band
3,900
140
Lifestyle Educators
5,760
4144
Math Club
2,999
442
Northern Student
51,164
22631
Opera Theatre
5,175
3695
PEHS
2,988
1393
Phoenix
6,727
5557
Pre Law Society
4,189
2764
Rivers Meeting Club
Roller Derby
Rugby Mens
3000
3000
Rugby Womens
8137
3053
Social Work Club
1,500
725
Students for the Environment
1560
605
Student Senate
18,941
15867
Symphonic Band
1,800
1625
Talley Gallery
9,040
9020
Theater Unlimited
TOTO - EM
2,181
537
Ultimate Frisbee Club
1,028
1028
University Theatre
40,842
17868
Varsity Singers
Wind Ensemble(Univ Band)
8,954
7175
Clubs
4,000
4,000
Security
5,500
5,500
Sales Tax
Assistants at activities
7,000
7,500
General Admin
26,000
27,500
Total Students Activities
753,286
610,725
Budget
603000
630725
Net Budget
-150286
20000
Group Revenue Goals
Special Request Reserve
20,000
Total Net Budget
0
Consider Carry Forward


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