The Student Services Finance Committee approved the Wisconsin Union’s budget Thursday despite criticism from many representatives over the large amount of student fees going to an organization that students have little control over.
The full budget was approved at approximately $45 million, with more than $10 million coming from student segregated fee contributions.
SSFC Rep. David Vines, who voted against the budget, said he doesn’t think allocating such a large sum of money to the union is “right” or “sustainable” when students have no control over its uses.
Vines also noted the union makes a significant amount of money, whereas other organizations on campus have limited revenue.
“I personally think that it’s irresponsible and that it’s wrong for students to be being asked to support an entity that has an operating revenue of $30.1 million per year,” Vines said.
However, SSFC Rep. Ian Malmstadt said it is worthwhile to fund the union because it is always available for student use.
“I think it’s worth $10 million of our money,” Malmstadt said.
SSFC struck down the Wisconsin Union’s budget last year because it failed to give SSFC enough information to justify its expenses, according to SSFC Chair Ellie Bruecker.
“The union really made an effort to increase transparency and give us more information this year, which was something that we didn’t see last year.” Bruecker said.
However, SSFC Rep. Richard Rolland, who voted against the budget, said increased transparency should not be a reason for voting in favor of the budget.
The committee approved the budget by a 5-to-2 vote with five abstentions.
