In another step in the process of approving student organization budgets for the 2002-'03 school year, the Associated Students of Madison approved all budgets brought before them by ASM's Student Services Finance Committee with no amendments at their meeting Thursday.
ASM representatives voted on the budgets as an entire package with the exception of those for the Adventure Learning Program and the Multicultural Student Coalition. The MCSC budget passed 17-3 with six representatives abstaining, and the budget for ALPS passed by a voice vote. The package of budgets for the remaining organizations passed 16-3 with six abstentions.
Several students expressed their opinions regarding the budgets in an open forum session.
UW-Madison junior Mark Baumgardner said he was partially disturbed by some of the groups who were asking for over $1 million.
\Don't just be a rubber stamp for what SSFC says, take a harder look,"" he said.
During the formal council meeting, ASM representatives spent the greatest amount of time discussing the MCSC budget, particularly the $111,313 for rent of an office space.
SSFC member Brad Ludwig said that even though he supported the rest of the budgets, he did not agree with this part of the MCSC budget.
""I don't believe the students of Madison should pay well over $100,000 for office space for one year,"" he said.
But ASM Vice Chair and SSFC member Carl Camacho said he believed the funds were needed to provide adequate space for MCSC to function.
""If a student organization needs rent space to provide and enhance service, that's our job to provide that,"" he said.
After the meeting, SSFC Chair Lamont Smith said he was pleased with the outcomes.
""The fact that there were no amendments shows that the process does work,"" he said.
ASM campus relations committee chair Phil Ejercito said he was also glad there was a lot of questioning during the meeting.
""Especially compared to years past, I thought it was a civil debate,"" he said.
ASM Chair Jessica Miller said she was impressed at how Student Council and organization members handled themselves during the meeting.
""I was more surprised at how calmly everyone expressed themselves,"" she said.
Miller also said she supported the council's decisions.
""I'm very happy with it and look forward to bringing it to the chancellor,"" she said.
SSFC member Rob Staude said he expected Thursday's results.
""It doesn't surprise me at all,"" he said. ""The group that passed it didn't feel that they had an authority over it.""
He also said he hoped any changes made by the Office of the Chancellor when it reviews the budgets early next year would be made in coordination with students' views.
