The General Assembly approved the 2004-05 Student Confederation Budget, with amendments, by an unanimous vote Friday after less than two hours of deliberation.
The budget proposed cuts in most SC programming except the Kennedy Political Union, Student Union Board and Eagle Nights.
"I think it went very smoothly," SC Comptroller Scott Rosen said. "I expected more objection based on the programmatic cuts."
Bob Nardo chaired the meeting after being elected by the GA to oversee the process. The GA by-laws allow for any undergraduate to serve as chair during the consideration of the budget.
Although the budget passed by Unanimous Consent, the GA considered two primary amendments while in discussion. The first amendment reallocated $300 from the Class of 2008 to the Class of 2007.
The second amendment drew more debate as the Class of 2005 argued for more funding than the original $10,000 allocation. Previous incoming senior classes had received $16,000, causing the Class of 2005 to protest. An additional $4,000 was allocated to the class.
"I'm glad the GA saw that we needed this funding," Class of 2005 President Chris Salazar said. "This is what we need to put on the programming that has been done before. Without the budget increase, we could not hold the Senior Cruise or Screen on the Green."
For the Class of 2005 to receive the extra money, funds were taken from KPU, SUB and the Undergraduate Business Association. KPU contributed the largest amount, as its budget of $143,000 was decreased by $3,000.
"With the Class of 2005 needing more money, KPU seemed to be the natural place to get more," KPU Director Eric Morley said. "Everybody comes out happy. We can get the money we need this spring. The Class of 2005 got the money they wanted and KPU still has a large increase in funding for next year"
