SGA Passes Budget for 2015-2016 Academic Year

On Wednesday, April 15, 2015, Frostburg State University’s Student Government Association passed its 2015-16 budget after lengthy debate over which student organizations should be given student activity fee money.

SGA’s budget totaled at $169,562, including $93,222 for SGA/SafeRide, $37,790 for Black Student Alliance, and $38,550 for the event funding account, according to the Student Activities Fee Allocation Report for Academic Year 2015-2016.

Every FSU student pays money to the student activities fee budget, as part of the tuition and fees schedule. Full time students pay $316 per year, and part time students pay $25 per credit hour.

SafeRide, which is completely funded by SGA due to its status as an SGA initiative, received additional funding for development to pay for training for its drivers. Because of the minimum wage increase, extra funding was also budgeted to pay drivers.

BSA is the only student organization on campus that is organizationally funded by SGA. In other words, SGA is mandated by its constitution to fund BSA.

The event funding account is used to fund organizations that request money from SGA, pending approval. According to Bobcat Connect, Frostburg State University recognizes 140 student organizations, but some of these organizations may not be active.

During the budget meeting, SGA unanimously passed an amendment that would make BSA responsible for planning FSU’s homecoming. Previously, this was a joint effort between SGA and BSA. BSA budgeted $10,700 of its budget for homecoming.

Three SGA Senators, who are also members of BSA, abstained from this vote.

“The money is well allocated,” said Josh Haden, BSA’s vice president of finance. “We’re gonna give people what they want at homecoming.”

Another amendment, which was not passed, would have allowed allow BSA to move $2,000 from its budget line for its Fright Farm event and $200 from its budget line for bowling and roller skating to help cover homecoming costs.

According to Haden, 65 students attended Fright Farm last year. BSA covers the bulk of the cost, renting coach buses and charging students $5 for tickets that normally cost $35.

However, SGA did pass an amendment allowing BSA to move money from its budget line for lectures to the homecoming account. Representatives from BSA said that these lectures are for academic and educational purposes. This year, BSA brought in speakers who spoke on a variety of topics, including financial advice for college students and Greek Life.

The three SGA Senators who are members of BSA also abstained from voting on this amendment, which was passed without opposition.

“Our events are social, educational, and professional,” said Haden. “Anyone is welcome at any BSA event.”

An SGA Representative has been contacted for additional information.