Yesterday, Dec. 13, marked the second day of the scheduled meetings for the Activity and Service Fee Budget Committee; the committee began the process of budgeting $18.9 million for registered student organizations, agencies/departments and the Student Government Association on Monday, Dec. 12.
The committee heard presentations from representatives for the Recreation and Wellness Center, Sport Clubs Council, SGA Election Commission, the Multicultural Student Center, Knightcast and Homecoming. The committee also heard presentations from RSOs including: Spanish Graduate Association, Vietnamese American Student Association, Chabad Jewish Student Group, Association of Latino Professionals in Financial Accounting, Contemporary A Cappella, Greek Council and Trial Team. Additionally, the committee reviewed the requests of CEO Knights and Cognitive Neuroscience Interest Group.
Recreation and Wellness Center
The committee heard from Jim Wilkening, director of the Recreation and Wellness Center, regarding the RWC's budget request.
The RWC requested $5,848,561, a 9.6 percent increase from what it was budgeted for the current fiscal year.
The line item with the biggest increase from what it was budgeted for the current fiscal year was operations. The RWC requested $2,226,340 for operations, an 18.2 percent increase. More than 10 percent of the request would be for the north end lease and north end expansion. The total amount requested for the north end expansion is $329, 355.
During debate, SGA President Matthew McCann commended the RWC on budgeting well for the expansion planned for the north end of campus.
The RWC's request for $5,848,561 was approved.
Sport Clubs Council
The committee heard from Steven Valentine, the student director of Sport Clubs Council, regarding SCC's budget request.
SCC requested $294,154, a 2.4 percent increase from what it was budgeted for the current fiscal year.
According to Valentine, the majority of the more than $20,953 increase is for an increase in the number of new clubs and equipment costs for women's crew.
Valentine said the money needed for women's crew would be to purchase new oars, as the ones they have right now are broken, and to move them to a new location other than Lake Jesup, which has a heavy alligator presence.
SCC's request for $294,154 was approved.
SGA Election Commission
The committee heard from Hannah Fraher, supervisor of the SGA Election Commission, regarding its request.
The election commission requested $31,010, an 8.4 percent increase from what it was budgeted for the current fiscal year.
Fraher said the reason for the increase is to pay commissioners for the work they will most likely perform in addition to the required hours.
The EC's request for $31,010 was approved.
Multicultural Student Center
The committee heard from Melissa Westbrook, student director of the Multicultural Student Center, regarding MSC's budget request.
MSC requested $262,709, a 47 percent increase from what it was budgeted for the current fiscal year.
The primary reason for the increase was the addition of the line for salaries and benefits, which previously fell under the Office of Student Involvement.
The amount requested for operations also increased, primarily because of MSC's request for adjustable tables that would best suit students with disabilities. The tables are priced at $774 each.
MSC's request for $262,709 was approved.
Knightcast
The committee heard from Logan Kriete, the student director of Knightcast, regarding Knightcast's budget request.
Knightcast requested $35,005, a 7.1 percent increase from what it was budgeted for the current fiscal year. The amount requested for operations increased by 60.6 percent.
Kriete said $4,600 of the amount requested for operations would assist Knightcast in serving the majority of the groups that request their services, which they have not been able to do currently.
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