Budget approval needs reform

By:

Posted: 4/29/09

As student organizations wrap up their last activities of the year and begin to regroup for next year, many will be consulting their budgets that were approved at the last two senate meetings.

Emotions ran high exactly two weeks ago, when budgets were first subjected to the scrutiny of the college's senators.

Despite Dean of Students Chris Ogle's advice to think in terms of the macro process, discussion had a tendency to turn petty. It is hard to remain neutral on a campus of Ripon's size, where everyone has personal ties to certain organizations and political grudges against others.

However, senators should realize that there is no point in sacrificing their sanity in the name of student activities.

First of all, the budget committee met with one or more representatives from just about every student organization, allowing them up to a half an hour to question the representative about the budget they had presented, the status of the organization and where potential cuts could be made.

Thus, it makes sense to follow their recommendations for different line items, but challenge overarching discrepancies. For example, it is extremely important for the senators to assess whether or not the Choraliers should be given a budget based on their current lack of activism, not whether one budget category should be reduced or increased by $50.

It is clear that Senate is capable of passing budgets without tearing them to pieces as a remarkable number were approved in the hour between midnight and 1 a.m.; therefore, consistency and balance should be the goals.

When budgets were picked apart, it became very difficult for everyone to remain focused and even harder for everyone to know what specific motion was being discussed.

Overall, we applaud the senators' dedication and attention to detail; however, they must remember that the devil is in the details. While the senate is steeped in tradition and concrete procedures, it must recognize the benefits of reform.

The approval of budgets could be split into two different nights, and times could be set for certain organizations.

In addition, it would be extremely helpful to relocate the meetings to a more appropriate venue. East Hall's Little Theatre or Bear Auditorium would be excellent possibilities. They have ample space, projector capabilities and graduated seating, which would allow the members of the executive board to count votes with ease.

We'd also like to suggest that alphabetical order be rejected and groups present in order of longevity on campus. We support this, not only because it would put the College Days at the top of the list, but also because it would place groups in the same stage of the student organization lifecycle next to one another, and the later organizations' budgets were mindlessly approved without any objections or scrutiny. This would help to insure consistency among similar organizations.

Again, senators' commitment to the campus is commendable and we, for the most part, respect all of the budgets that were approved. However, the uneven treatment of the groups involved and the arrogance and forced compliance exacted by the Senate is, in a word, atrocious. It would be appreciated if the budgetary process was revised and revamped because, as it is, it is horrific and agonizing for all parties.