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SA budget sees impact of increase


SA officials say the undergraduate student government is finally seeing the fruits this semester of the $500,000 budget hike voted on last fall and approved in the spring.

Since the mandatory activity fee was increased last year, it has been a point of contention among students. Some think the extra money is beneficial, while others found the hike unnecessary or were even unaware of it.

According to SA Treasurer Mazin Kased, the increase has allowed SA to greatly augment its overall budget this year, which he thinks students should consider a good thing if they're looking to get involved with SA or enjoy speaker, comedian, and music events.

In a vote last fall, the fee was increased by $10 to a total $79.95 per semester, which means SA's budget this year is about $500,000 larger than it was before.

Areas that had previously been cut were the first to be refunded, and the remaining money was then allocated to the remaining departments, like SA Entertainment, and clubs.

Services such as graphic artists for the SA clubs, sound equipment, SA photographers and videographers were also increased, Kased said.

In addition, club budgets were increased for both the groups themselves and the club coordinator's lines, which are used events and urgent situations.

"The SA budget increase is a great thing, not only for the great Spring and Fall Fest shows, but for all of the SA clubs to help improve the quality of their shows," said Eric Acquaye, a member of African SA. "In the long, run everyone can benefit from it."

Of course, not all students agree.

"If students don't take part in these activities, they're paying a fee that doesn't pertain to them," said Adriana Mistretta, a junior communication major. "This issue forces the students who are paying their tuition out of pocket into a financial situation where they may not be able to pay for these extra activities."

Kased said although the majority of students are not involved in SA, "we are trying to diversify the types of shows that we bring so we can satisfy the vast majority of students."

Included among the first SA events this semester is a skate park show during halftime of the Sept. 17 football game and a possible small concert in November on top of Fall Fest. On Oct. 19 Colin Powell will speak as the student choice of the Distinguished Speakers Series.

An old activity, but one that has always been a consensus hit, are the free movies shown in the Student Union Theater. SA officials said they plan to increase the quantity of movies shown this semester, which will again be free on a first-come-first-serve basis.

As usual, many students said they remain skeptical of their student government.

"I think it's great that SA intends to step up the level, quality of entertainment for students. It's just a matter of it actually coming to pass," said Katie Cotton, a senior communications major.

Jennifer Chen, a senior nursing student, said she understands why students might not be happy about paying more, but "if you already paid for it, you might as well come out and play."




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