After hours of debate and nearly 40 amendments, the Student Services Finance Committee delayed its vote on the Multicultural Student Coalition’s 2013-’14 budget following a proposal to consider minimally funding the group.
According to SSFC Chair Ellie Bruecker, the committee can vote to minimally fund a group if it does not meet a set of required funding criteria within SSFC bylaws. Bruecker said minimal funding is determined to be the “minimum amount to function,” and would be around $10,000.
SSFC Rep. Jeff Ehlers first proposed the committee consider minimally funding MCSC due to “significant changes” to the group’s programming since its eligibility hearing, saying a number of programs had been removed entirely.
However, Rep. David Vines said while what is in the budget is “significantly different,” the group is still providing the same direct services that led to its approval for eligibility.
After discussion on Ehler’s proposal, the committee considered tabling MCSC’s budget decision to allow representatives to take a closer look at the required criteria.
Rep. Sarah Neibart disagreed with postponing the decision, saying the committee had spent a large amount of time amending the proposed budget so that it is now more “fiscally responsible” and a vote should be taken.
However, the committee voted to delay its decision until its next meeting Monday where it can vote to minimally fund the group or further amend and vote on the proposed budget.
MCSC requested $1,450,899.68, but after SSFC’s amendments the approximate proposed budget currently stands at $167,967.09.
The committee also approved $41,025.09 in funding for Supporting Peers In Laidback Listening, an overall increase from its proposed budget of $39,819.90 to ensure funding is available for a software purchase.
