The Student Government Association is asking for an increase and a separate operating budget that will reflect the growth in student enrollment for the 2009-10 academic year.
SGA, along with other student organizations, is funded through the student activity fee. The activity fee for the 2008-09 academic year is $380 per student.
SGA has $100,000, the largest operating budget in the university’s history.
SGA’s budget can not exceed $100,000, no matter the enrollment size of the university.
On Oct. 31, SGA submitted a proposal asking Chancellor Donald Reaves for an increase in funds to about $40 per student for each academic year. The fee would be divided between the fall and spring semesters.
Quintin Jones, SGA Secretary of Commuter Affairs, said, “We are asking for enough money to cover the student homecoming concert-one of the biggest events of the year.”
Harold Respass, SGA President said that SGA needs more funding to keep up with the trend of skyrocketing bills and travel expenses.
“The rest of the budget will go to office bills, supplies, community service projects, travel costs to conferences, business attire, and time compensation for the president and two vice presidents,” Respass said.
The current economic crisis may make it difficult for the proposal to be passed.
Steve Stephens II, Associate Director of Student Activities said, “We are going through a recession, which is a very big issue for our economy.
“Things did not go as well as we planned because it [the economy] hindered our chances from receiving more money from outside sources,” he said.