JUMP: SAC groups complain about red tape

Estaban said. "And very few students would disclose the fact that they have an outside bank account." "It's gotten worse over the past five years," she said. "[But] there's really nothing that can be done." "I know there are outside bank accounts," said Student Life Director Fran Walker. "But unless your bank statements are sent to the office, there's no way we would know because it's a privacy question." Outside bank accounts are only one of several problems which exist between SAC and its represented activities. When examining the activities' budgets, several discrepancies are apparent. First, the paperwork is often not filled out correctly or completely. Sometimes, entire forms are left blank. The total amount is filled out in every budget, but the breakdown is sometimes not shown. Such is the case for Intuitons, a campus alternative performing arts group. Groups also leave the breakdowns for use of revenue blank, as the Gospel Choir and Intuitons did in their most recent budgets. The second problem with many activities' budgets is in the area of revenue explanation. Often, the "total non-SAC revenue" did not equal the "total non-SAC revenue used" in the 1993-1994 budgets. In some cases, the totals balance by adding the suggested carry over money for 1994-1995 to the total used money. In several others, though, the numbers simply do not balance. More than 40 groups have total revenue used not equalling total revenue. These discrepancies remain unaccounted for, though Moller did say that the discrepancy may be due to the failure to indicate spring tournaments, shows or programs. "I don't know what accounts for the discrepancy," she said. "Sometimes they don't predict accurately, and sometimes it's just stupidity." Walker said some groups might not know how to properly prepare their budgets. But Moller said each group's representative is given a packet of instructions and policy information. In addition, each activity is given a Finance Committee liaison who is available to help answer questions. "Most of the groups don't go to their finance liaisons," she said. "There are groups that just don't have any interest in [the budgetary process] and there are others that have good business management." Despite the problems and lack of solutions in SAC's organization, procedures and financing methods, SAC Finance Committee members say they continuously attempt to properly and fairly allocate SAC money to the many activities which fall under its jurisdiction. The Committee is currently in the process of interviewing groups, reviewing budgets and deciding on recommendations. The final budgetary allocations will be made at the SAC general meeting on April 20.