Saint Mary's Board of Governance members reviewed the preliminary student government budget for the academic year and discussed a financial contingency plan at Monday's BOG meeting.
Executive Treasurer Kym Dunlap distributed and explained the preliminary financial report to her fellow board members. The budget detailed allotted financial resources to each class and major student activities board.
The number of students in each class determines class budgets with $150 allotted for each student, Dunlap said. The student count includes off-campus students, but excludes students studying abroad. The average class budget this year is $1,500, the report indicated.
Major student organizations, such as BOG and Student Activities Board, receive the largest portion of the financial resources granted to student government. These figures are established by reviewing spending in past years and remain fairly constant.
The budget total, however, has grown to $221,250 this year.
"We have $3,000 more than last year," said Dunlap. "I am really excited because I am able to increase your allotment."
Board members also discussed an emergency financial contingency plan, and were given questionnaires to aid in the creation of the plan. The plan will help establish procedures in the case of a financial crisis at the College, said student body President Elizabeth Jablonski-Diehl.
"The college is not currently having financial problems," Jablonski-Diehl said. "But we never know what could happen, with terrorism and all."
Boards members were asked to detail how their budget was spent, and what could be cut in the case of a crisis situation.
In other BOG news:
u First Year elections will take place on Tuesday. All First Year students are encouraged to vote online at the BOG Web site.
u Jess Eaton and Allison Roche were elected Holy Cross Hall President and Vice President in last week's election. RHA President Shay Jolly reported that the election had an excellent participation rate, and the winning ticket won 80percent of the vote.
u Former Smith College President and social activist Jill Ker Conway will speak at Saint Mary's Thursday in O'Laughlin Auditorium at 7:30 pm. Complimentary tickets are available at the Saint Mary's box office.
