On Sunday, February 26th, the UA passed its $2 million budget for 2012-2013 academic year.

The entire budget can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AmpLuhsh1-lQdEtTaEhUU2×2cDhLMFNXVjRvOVM3U1E&output=html

Thanks to the budget committee for all of their hard work!

Every year the UA is given around $1.9 million to allocate to the branches of student government for the upcoming year – money that funds Spring Fling, major speakers, Hey Day, Sophomore Skimmer, and, of course, every student group on campus. Our money comes from the Vice-Provost for University Life, and is pegged to the General Fee.

This year, a slightly higher projected General Fee increase meant that the UA’s budget rose by the same proportion as last year (4.0%) and so the UA was given an extra $74,000 to distribute. The actual distribution is done in a two-step process: the Budget Committee (consisting of Ali Huberlie, UA Treasurer, and UA Members Emerson Brooking and Jon Monfred) issues a recommendation, which is then considered by the entire UA in a lengthy public process that culminates in a Budget Decision Meeting where the UA at large may amend the Budget Committee’s recommendation before a final vote on February 27th.

The budget recommendation is available in an online Google Docs version.

We hope that you provide comments and feedback on this site! This is your chance to have your say on how your $1.9 million is spent! Check below the jump for a summary of key features of this year’s recommendation:

Key features of this year’s Budget Recommendation include:

• Block grant funding for MERT, allowing increased flexibility and freedom from the constraints of SAC.
• Increased flexibility within SPEC–more money in contingency and Fully Planned, allowing SPEC the freedom to find and put on the best events for students.
• An 18.7% decrease in UA Administrative expenses, allowing money to be channeled directly into programming for students, rather than office supplies.
• $1500 in Scholarship monies for the PennCORP pre-orientation program, enabling many students to engage in this valuable community service opportunity.
• A 5.87% increase in funding for SPEC, increasing the amount of programming available for all students on campus.
• A 2.07% increase for the Student Activities Council, allowing students to continue to engage in their all-important student groups.

Important things that occurred:

• Contingency Request: $3585 to SPEC Sound
• Contingency Request: $3750 to the Philomathean Society for Jared Diamond’s Annual Oration thing
• Contingency Request: $295 to Penn Abroad for Exchange Student Orientation Ikea Trip
• Approved the Dining Hall Appreciation Day, allocating $50 from UA Operations
• GJ threw a pen at Grant. GJ has a very good aim.

For more information, the minutes are available here.

On Sunday, February 28th, the UA approved the 2010-2011 Annual Budget after amending the Budget Committee’s recommendation in ten significant areas. Key features of the 2010-2011 Budget include:

• A major increase in SAC funding: an extra $64,000 for student groups (or 7.77% increase from last year!).
• Restructuring Spring Fling finances: accounting changes mean that while Fling is unchanged its true cost is now reported and accounted for; plus, the recommendation includes a little bit extra for Concert talent.
• A major increase in Connaissance Major Speaker Honoraria funding (from $61,000 per semester to $75,000 per semester).
• Restoration of the SPEC Film Speaker Event with $13,000 of funding.
• Some program eliminations:
  • Dolphin email accounts ($4950)
  • SPEC Concerts Small Show Series ($3000)
  • SPEC Connaissance Philomathean Society Annual Oration Co-Sponsorship ($3000)
  • Minority Scholars Weekend ($2250)
  • SPEC Special Events Third Spring Fest ($2000)
  • SPEC Connaissance Haitian Solidarity Week Co-Sponsorship ($1000)
  • Haitian Solidarity Week Co-Sponsorship ($1000)
  • Holocaust Memorial Day Co-Sponsorship ($1000)
  • GUIDE Co-Sponsorship ($1000)
• Standardization of SPEC Jazz and Grooves and SPEC-TRUM Spring Concert with Fall Concerts, involving cutting:
  • $10,550 from SPEC Jazz and Grooves Spring Concert
  • $7,950 from SPEC-TRUM Spring Concert

The final budget is available in a printable version (for legal-size paper!) or an online Google Docs version.

See below the jump for an itemized list of approved amendments. And tell us what you think in the comments!

Read more…

Every year the UA is given around $1.9 million to allocate to the branches of student government for the upcoming year – money that funds Spring Fling, major speakers, Hey Day, Sophomore Skimmer, free New York Times, and, of course, every student group on campus. Our money comes from the Vice-Provost for University Life, and is pegged to the General Fee.

This year, a low projected General Fee increase meant that the UA’s budget rose by the same proportion as last year (3.7%) and so the UA was given an extra $67,000 to distribute. The actual distribution is done in a two-step process: the Budget Committee (consisting of Sakina Zaidi, UA Treasurer, and UA Members Zac Byer and Ryan Houston) issues a recommendation, which is then considered by the entire UA in a lengthy public process that culminates in a Budget Decision Meeting where the UA at large may amend the Budget Committee’s recommendation before a final vote on February 28th.

The budget recommendation is available in a printable version (for legal-size paper!) or an online Google Docs version.

We hope that you provide comments and feedback on this site! This is your chance to have your say on how your $1.9 million is spent! Check below the jump for a summary of key features of this year’s recommendation:

Read more…