Mandi Mooney
Online Managing Editor
October 6, 2004
For the past few months, the eyes of American citizens have been focused on the presidential election. Issues ranging from homeland security to the economy have been at the foreground of presidential platforms and debates. As always, the subject of taxes has become one of the most important issues this fall as Americans ask how much money they should have to pay and where that money actually goes.
Many Milligan students focus their attention on the election and the money issue, but how many students actually pay attention to the money each student pays for Milligan’s student government association? After surveying one student from each class, it was discovered that some students do know what their money supports while others do not know or even care.
“I believe SGA gets the money from our tuition,” said sophomore Heather Clinger. “I think it gets about $10,000, some goes to pay [the executive council] and the rest goes to activities and clubs they support.” However, Clinger said she does not really care where the money goes.
Senior Brian Booker said that, although he had no idea where the money comes from, he assumes that an amount is set aside each year for SGA to benefit the students.
Junior Becky Waruszewski thought that the money comes from the student activity fee and helps to support the student campus center as well as student activities. Waruszewski also expressed her interest in knowing exactly what SGA’s money goes toward.
“It's partly my money, and I don't want to pay for something that I think is dumb,” said Waruszewski.
Freshman Jaime Becker believes that the money goes to support the different organizations on campus.
“I care where the money goes because some of those clubs benefit me,” said Becker.
In actuality, SGA’s budget comes directly from the student activity fees that students pay at the beginning of each semester.
“Only traditional, undergraduate students pay that fee,” said Carrie Shaw, the office manager for the registrar’s office.
Therefore, while Milligan’s total enrollment for this semester is 916 students, only 699 are required to pay the $25 student activity fee. With $3 being taken out of the fee and held separately for residence hall use, SGA will receive between $25,000 and $30,000 for the 2004-2005 school year.
According to SGA Treasurer Lindsey Vogt, the SGA budget is used to support clubs and organizations, as well as class activities. For example, SGA sponsored the recent TWIRP Week and will sponsor the Junior/Senior Banquet in the spring.
Certain organizations, such as Concert Council and Recycling, are budgeted-organizations underneath SGA that receive an allotment of the monies.
“We are given a basic guideline [for the budget] from the year before,” said Vogt, explaining how it is decided which organizations are budgeted for each year. “However, since SGA is set up to run by students, we are able to negotiate and readjust the totals.”
Other clubs and organizations on campus can also petition SGA to receive extra monies.
The SGA Constitution and handbook states, “To be eligible for Organizational Assistance Fund monies, the organization must be recognized by the Office of Student Development.” The organization also must have signatures of at least 20 supporting students and be signed by its faculty adviser. Organizations can request an amount up to $200 each semester.
“We do encourage fundraising because we can’t give [money] to everyone,” said Vogt.
Once an organization petitions SGA for monies, it must be presented before the executive council and the Finance and Business subcommittee. The subcommittee and then SGA as a whole will then decide whether or not to pass the bill and provide funding.
“There are lots of people determining whether or not the funding is valid,” said junior class representative Kim Hughston.
In Tuesday morning’s SGA meeting, the Finance and Business subcommittee discussed redefining the eligibility requirements. The group addressed the ideas of requiring a service project before applying for SGA monies, presenting a specific outline or plan for the money as well as a follow-up of what purpose the money served. However, no decision was made, as SGA members will spend more time considering the requirements.