The Student Services Finance Committee approved their six official recommendations for the University Health Services budget for fiscal year 2020 Monday night.
The committee previously vetoed UHS’s proposed $18.9 million dollar budget in early February.
SSFC voted against the budget after an open forum was held. Students voiced their concerns regarding the mental health services provided by UHS. These comments prompted the committee to demand change from UHS.
As part of the recommendations, SSFC will ask UHS to add an additional seven health care providers — five more than the original budget had asked for. Three of these must have individual specializations for Survivor Services, LGBTQ students, and students of color.
“The SSFC is dedicated to representing students on campus and will continue to advocate for improved mental health resources,” said SSFC Chair Jeremy Swanson.
As part of the SSFC recommendations, a Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs mental health task force has been assembled. The task force includes a number of chairs for Associated Students of Madison. They have until May to deliver a short-term financial year 2020 operations plan, and a deadline of the end of Fall 2019 to propose a long-term action plan.
SSFC will meet with Chancellor Rebecca Blank around late March to discuss their recommendations and plans moving forward.
