The Associated Students of Madison restored $50,000 for student Housing and Tenant Support to the ASM Internal Budget for 2010-'11, but the budget was postponed to a Conference Committee until next week.
The Student Services Finance Committee removed the Housing and Tenant Support from the ASM budget last week, claiming its organizers did not present a clear plan to back their intentions.
SSFC Chair Brandon Williams said he did not want to put $50,000 toward an unimplemented plan.
ASM Representative Erik Paulson said a contract to implement the tenant services is currently being written.
""After tuition, the second biggest expense in student's budgets is housing,"" he said. ""The university has to do more in assisting students with housing.""
ASM also approved an increase in stipends for SSFC members, sparking controversy among ASM members.
""There's always going to be a debate and it's always going to be a political issue. We are taking money from students and paying ourselves,"" ASM Representative Colin Ingram said.
Williams said he believes the stipend increases are justified by the members' time commitment.
However, he said he does not want the stipends to rise arbitrarily again and will pursue the raise through proposing ASM bylaws to standardize the stipends.
ASM also approved decreases in stipends for various ASM positions, such as Nominations Chair, Diversity Committee Chair and the Academic Affairs Chair.
The Conference Committee finalizing the budget will meet Feb. 26 and will consist of four ASM members and four SSFC members.
—Kayla Johnson
