Following controversy last year when the Multicultural Student Coalition received approximately half of their million-dollar proposal, curiosity about this year's request to the Student Services Finance Committee was inevitable.
Last year the MCSC budget proposal included requests for 44 paid staff positions and a new office. After two meetings filled with heated debate and more than 11 hours of deliberation, the group was allocated $555,467 for the 2001-'02 school year.
MCSC's $515,009 funding request this year was significantly lower than last year's. MCSC representatives said this was because that budget had included several one-time expenses.
\Last year was a totally different case because we asked for such a significant increase,"" MCSC Chair Theresa Vidaurri, a UW-Madison senior, said.
A number of students spoke on behalf of MCSC at Monday night's SSFC meeting, stressing the importance of the organization and urging SSFC representatives to approve the group's proposed budget.
Representatives from MCSC challenged committee representatives' involvement and commitment to their budget decision, claiming that some SSFC representatives failed to adequately review MCSC's budget proposal.
""It's not necessary for the committee to know the intricate details of each organization it sees, but it is necessary for the committee to make informed decisions based on every organization,"" said Pabitra Benjamin, a UW-Madison junior and MCSC representative.
Vidarri said she agreed.
""Committee members who haven't taken the time to speak with MCSC are those that are being fiscally irresponsible,"" she said.
Committee representatives continually stressed the importance of the organization to the campus community, but struggled to find a funding compromise based on MCSC's need to serve the students while also remaining a fiscally responsible body.
""The question is not whether or not this organization is worthwhile. The question is whether the budget in question meets the needs of this organization and is fiscally responsible,"" said SSFC representative Drew Horn.
Ultimately, MCSC faced cuts to staff wages, their office supply budget and a reduction in the number of paid executive staff positions.
MCSC's budget was finalized Monday at $466,050.
SSFC also approved WSUM's budget as requested at $59,369.
SSFC also heard budget proposals for the Tenant Resource Center, Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment and Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow. Budget decisions for these organizations will be made at the SSFC meeting Wednesday.
