Student Government Association passed its budget last week, allocating how it will spend its funding of roughly $91,000 throughout the year.
The budget is broken down into seven categories of expenses: co-sponsorship, executive, senate, community and publicity, wages, recognition and telephone.
SGA treasurer Kevin Mullaney said they do not have the exact amount of money they will receive from the university yet, as it will be added to their account throughout the year. Right now the estimated expenses for each category add up to $20,000 more than the total amount of money SGA is allocated. Mullaney said this is because they have not put down exact costs, and as they go, will continue to make cuts to the executive section as necessary to fit the budget. He said it is unlikely they will receive more than the expected $91,697 from the university, although they have applied for a 3 percent raise.
Mullaney said the university provides SGA’s budget with money from student tuition and donors.
“It is to help programming [for student events]. Really, what [SGA] can do to help the university and the student body as a whole,” Mullaney said. “It is to help the experience of students and make what difference we can to make sure they have the best experience possible at Ball State.”
The money the university gives SGA is based on how much they spend, so if SGA has a significant amount of money roll over into the next year, the university will cut funding.
Mullaney said the Alliance executive board had around $3,000 left over, and that money has not yet been added to the current SGA’s budget.
Below is a breakdown of what each category is used for, and how much is budgeted for each category of expense.
Total Budget: $91,697
Wages: $46,000
The wages allotment is spent on the stipends for the executive board and wages for the office receptionist.
Breakdown: Undergraduate stipends total at $36,000 and receptionist wages are allotted $10,000.
Co-sponsorship: $37,447
SGA uses this money to aid other groups on campus with their programming. Mullaney said during first semester, Homecoming is the biggest expense in this category. According to SGA co-sponsorship guidelines, all requests for funds must be approved by the co-sponsorship committee, which consists of the treasurer and one member of each of the four SGA caucuses. Events must be free of charge, take place on campus and be open to the entire student body to secure SGA co-sponsorship funds.
Breakdown: Homecoming is the largest expense during first semester. Second semester, most of the money goes to events like Dance Marathon, McKinley Mile and Greek Week. The budget will be updated each month with what organizations are granted funds requests.
Community and Publicity: $12,400
This money is used for the promotion of SGA events. Two primary expenses are the Pride Guide and money spent on advertisements in the Daily News.
Breakdown: The top expense is the Pride Guide, at $9,400, which has already been distributed for the year.
Executive: $10,800
The executive board spends this money to accomplish their platform points.
Breakdown: The top four expenses listed are the leadership fund, T-shirt trade-in, spaghetti dinners and discretionary allotment. These allotments total $6,500.
Student Senate: $3,300
The student senate budget is primarily reserved for discretionary expenses, used to run senate programs and help enhance senate experience. These expenses have not been outlined at this time. They have $800 reserved for inauguration catering and senate retreats.
Telephone: $1,000
This is a non-discretionary expense for SGA; they must spend this money to pay for the three phones used in their office.
Recognition: $750
This money is spent on plaques and certificates to be used for the recognition of senators, executive members and advisers.
Breakdown: $250 is spent on awards, and $500 is granted to the Senator of the Year.
Source: SGA treasurer Kevin Mullaney, SGA budget, SGA Co-Sponsorship Guidelines
