New budgeting process gets under way

The first round of budget cuts is complete, but the Finance Committee was unable to reach the elusive 'magic number' after this week's meeting.

This year marks a new way of budgeting, putting the task to one committee comprised of elected representatives overseen by the Student Government Association executive board. Once the group has reached the number needed, the proposed budget will move back to the SGA, allowing club representatives to either approve it or not. If they vote it down, the phases of budgeting begin again.

As each club came on the chopping block, President John Kleinhans would present a list of proposed budget cuts from the executive board. While the executive board could not motion or vote, it often proposed cuts that were motioned by voting members.

So far, AMS/NWA (American Meteorological Society/National Weather Service) suffered the largest cut, with a total of $4700, a motion made by third year representative Katee Ingram. This includes $3500 from its Northeast conference, $1000 from its annual meeting, and the entire Winter Ball.

The Outing Club also suffered a large cut, losing $4680 altogether in the first round.

The Lyndon State Ski and Ride club lost a total of $4000, including $2500 from ski trips, $1000 from fall projects, and $500 from movie premieres.

Most clubs received some sort of cut to their budgets, but Lyndon State Track and Field, the Role Playing Club, Sigma Zeta, and WWLR. However, items may be cut from the clubs during the next round of budgeting.

The next Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in ASAC 100. Anyone may sit in on the meetings, however, only elected representatives may speak or vote.