2008 Woodie Awards
IFC sets preliminary budget for next year
Proposed budget would bring a record increase to student fees
Jeffrey Sawyer
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Headlines
The preliminary budget for all of the Incidental Fee Committee (IFC) funded departments for next year has been set. After several meetings, debates and discussions, the committee has proposed a $17 increase to student fees.
That's $17 per term, meaning over $50 a year per student and would be the largest addition the IFC has ever made. The proposed addition would bring student fees up to $207 per term for the 2008-09 school year. The previous high for a rate increase was $14. Students have one more chance to have their opinions heard at next Tuesday's (Feb. 12) open hearing at 4 p.m. (Location TBA).
There were several departments that proposed to have their budgets expanded a large amount. Among them were ASWOU, the Werner University Center, Athletics and Student Leadership and Activities (SLA). These departments requested over half a million dollars in increased funding combined to pay for new staff positions, increasing student pay, building upkeep and the funding for more programs for Western students. As far as the preliminary decision goes, these departments would receive less than half of the originally requested incresed funds.
SLA has asked for the largest increase in proportion to their current funding. They were looking to increase programs around campus and to hire a position full time. SLA requested a budget increase of $113,129, but as it stands now they are only to be allocated an additional $18,162.
The Childcare budget is the only department set to be reduced, and is set to lose over $2,000 in IFC funds. IFC Chair Adam Bernot states that even though the funding will be less next year the discount for Western students with children will actually increase. This is due in part to rollover funds and also to changes in the number of children cared for.
These numbers are not set in stone and have a high probability of changing according to Bernot, "After the preliminary decision, it is quite likely that the numbers will change again. They can be changed again by IFC in the final decision meeting on [Feb 19], then they may need to be changed again if either the ASWOU Senate or President Minahan doesn't approve the increases proposed after the final decision."•
That's $17 per term, meaning over $50 a year per student and would be the largest addition the IFC has ever made. The proposed addition would bring student fees up to $207 per term for the 2008-09 school year. The previous high for a rate increase was $14. Students have one more chance to have their opinions heard at next Tuesday's (Feb. 12) open hearing at 4 p.m. (Location TBA).
There were several departments that proposed to have their budgets expanded a large amount. Among them were ASWOU, the Werner University Center, Athletics and Student Leadership and Activities (SLA). These departments requested over half a million dollars in increased funding combined to pay for new staff positions, increasing student pay, building upkeep and the funding for more programs for Western students. As far as the preliminary decision goes, these departments would receive less than half of the originally requested incresed funds.
SLA has asked for the largest increase in proportion to their current funding. They were looking to increase programs around campus and to hire a position full time. SLA requested a budget increase of $113,129, but as it stands now they are only to be allocated an additional $18,162.
The Childcare budget is the only department set to be reduced, and is set to lose over $2,000 in IFC funds. IFC Chair Adam Bernot states that even though the funding will be less next year the discount for Western students with children will actually increase. This is due in part to rollover funds and also to changes in the number of children cared for.
These numbers are not set in stone and have a high probability of changing according to Bernot, "After the preliminary decision, it is quite likely that the numbers will change again. They can be changed again by IFC in the final decision meeting on [Feb 19], then they may need to be changed again if either the ASWOU Senate or President Minahan doesn't approve the increases proposed after the final decision."•
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