A Resolution on the Budget Process And

Resolution 200910.10

A Resolution On the Budget Process And

Development of A Budget Rubric Guideline

Written By Amber Carrier, GSC President

Co-Sponsored by the Budget Review Committee

BACKGROUND

The Student Senate, per Resolution 08-06, dictated the creation of an ad hoc committee to assess the method by which Student Government Association officials receive remuneration for services rendered, and to access the amount received as remuneration for services rendered. The resolution resulting from this committee, SR 08-12, was passed in the Senate; however, due to an irregularity in wording it was struck down by the Supreme Court.

This year, the introduction of the President's budget proved to be controversial, as many changes that were proposed in the budget were contentious and due to information and intentions not well understood by any parties involved. It was ultimately rejected and a new suggested budget from the Senate Appropriations Committee passed in Fall 2009. In addition to the difficulties encountered with the SGA budget, there has been a number of inquiries into groups such as the Club Programming Committee and the Student Activities Board that have a large role in SGA spending as well.

Money equals resources, and where large groups are competing for control of a limited amount of resources, there will always be conflict. It's human nature that we all want a bigger portion of the pot for ourselves and believe that we can be better stewards of funds than our neighbors. Conflict arises when spending that is not universally agreed upon occurs, and with the increase in the size of the group, there is an increased likelihood that members of the group will disagree on how those resources are allocated, especially if they do not see a direct or indirect benefit to themselves (this is basic sociobiology and evolutionary theory). However, in light of potential limitations in future resource allocations, as well as the desire of student government to ensure that all groups of individuals have their needs, desires, and resources protected and provided for to the best extent possible, there must be an institutionalized guiding document on how to ensure this takes place.

In theory, one of two scenarios will take place. In scenario one, each group will receive exactly the resources (as in student fees) it puts in as services and programming that is provided to it. In scenario two, SGA and the student senate would budget to the best of their ability as laid out in the SGA constitution and each group will receive exactly the resources that they need, no more, no less. Both scenarios are very similar, especially in the fact that they would work in theory only, and not in practice. Scenario one would cripple SGA, and scenario two assumes that there is an infinite number of resources available. The intent of this resolution is to serve as essentially a "how to" document for future SGA administrations so that the best balance between the two scenarios can take place. It is not intended to be a binding document that does not take into account the special needs of future administrations, but instead as a policy document or guideline.

WHEREAS:

Title IV of the SGA By-Laws clearly states the budgetary and spending process, including the procedure for creation, amendment, and ratification of spending guidelines for the coming year, but leaves dollar amounts completely ambigious;

WHEREAS,

The Student Government Association has historically had difficulty maintaining institutional memory and communicating between branches on the financial and resources needs of various groups;

WHEREAS,

Discussion of budgetary rubrics, guidelines, and budget reform has been taking place for two academic years and has received input from a number of various sources;

WHEREAS,

The Student Government Association desires to ease transitions between administrations and maintain a sense of continuity despite differences in goals between two academic years;

WHEREAS,

The Student Government Association desires to provide future administrations with a formal guideline on appropriate and equitable spending in order to encourage current and future fiscal responsibility, while simultaneously recognizing that the fiscal and resource needs of groups can and likely will change over time;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

The Student Government Association proposes the attached budget rubric (Addendum A) as a template for future SGA Administrations;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

The SGA President shall be made aware of this rubric as part of his or her transition phase before he or she assumes the presidency;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

The SGA President shall revisit the Budget Rubric (Addendum A) in September of the year of his or her presidency and use the rubric as a guideline for assembling the SGA Budget for the next academic year. The President, although not bound by Addendum A, should make every effort to adhere to the recommendations presented in Addendum A;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

This document shall be sent to the Senate Appropriations Board during their initial meetings so it can be incorporated into their policies for the coming academic year;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

The SGA President and the Appropriations Board, when presenting their respective versions of the SGA budget to the Student Senate, shall also present Addendum A to the Senate. This is to ensure that the Senate is made aware each year of the guidelines set in place for SGA spending. Any and all discrepencies between the recommendations in Addendum A and the proposed budget MUST be explained in writing to the Senate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

Addendum A may be amended by resolution of the Student Senate. In the event that Addendum A is amended, the original version, as well and amended versions, shall be kept on file by the SGA Senate. However, only the version current at the time of the assembly of the budget shall be considered valid;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

Only the SGA Budget is bound by the rules of Addendum A. No Council or RSO budgets, other than those explicitly described in Addendum A, shall be asked to use it as a guideline;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

Upon discovery of a violation of this resolution in any part, the violating party (be it the SGA President, the Senate Appropriations Board, or the SGA Senate) must reconsider any budget documents created and ratified while violating this resolution. This reconsideration will take place at the level and point in the process laid out in Title IV where the violation took place.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

Any violation not rectified by the violating party shall be subject to SGA Supreme Court action as the Court deems appropriate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

This resolution shall be archived and never expire. Additionally, this resolution shall be presented to the aforementioned parties at the aforementioned times every academic year henceforth.

ADDENDUM A: A RUBRIC FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION BUDGET

SECTION 1. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS

The SGA Administrative officers, as defined by Article IV of the SGA Constitution, may be issued remuneration limited to full in-state tuition and reasonable stipend ($250 for vice-presidents, $350 for president)

SECTION 2. EXECUTIVE STAFF

Executive Staff, as defined in SGAC §4.8.2, 4.13.1, and 5.6.5, may be issued aggregate remuneration in the amount of $7500 per academic year, distributed amongst staff members at the President's discretion.

SECTION 3. SGA CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION

The portion of the overall SGA budget that is allocated to Central Administration may

total no more than 20%. Of the total SGA Central Administration Budget, no more than 35% of this amount may be reserved for wages, scholarships, or tuition remission.

SECTION 4. THE STUDENT SENATE

Student Senators may receive remuneration in the following amounts:

(1) Council Presidents -- $1000 limit per academic year

(2) Council Vice-Presidents -- $500 limit per academic year

(3) Senators -- $200 limit per academic year

SECTION 5. SUPREME COURT

(1) The Chief Justice may provide aggregate remuneration no greater than $1200 per academic year for Associate Justices of the Supreme Court.

(2) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may receive remuneration in the amount of $1000 per academic year.

SECTION 6. THE STUDENT COUNCILS

(1) Individual Student Councils may request no more than $5 per student as part of their general operating budget.

(2) Councils that have ongoing yearly special projects may request an amount above the $5 per student limit in order to cover some of the costs of the special projects, up to a total of $50 per student maximum.

(3) Councils that request more than $20 per student total may be subject to limitations in additional funding requests from SGA, the Senate Appropriations Committee, and any subcommittees. Any request to be exempt from these limitations must be made to the Senate Appropriations Committee and approved by the SGA Senate during the budgeting process.

(4) If a council wants to start an ongoing special project, it may submit a request to the SGA Appropriations Committee or an appropriate subcommittee for funding for the first year, and include it in their budget for subsequent years, adhering to the guidelines stated above.

SECTION 7. STUDENT PROGRAMMING

(1) The total amount allocated to Student Programming (through the Student Activities Board, the Senate Appropriations Committee, and any Appropriations Subcommittees) may be limited to a total of 60% of the SGA budget.

(2) All groups requesting money for student programming and programming project purposes will submit a detailed budget to the President and the Senate Appropriations Committee and are subject to reviews as set forth in the SGA Constitution and By-Laws

SECTION 8. REMAINING STUDENT MONIES

All funds not addressed in this document may be distributed amongst the Student Senate, SGA Court, and other arms and funding areas of SGA.