SAC decides on budget appeals

The Student Activities Council allocated approximately 20 percent of its 1994-1995 contingency fund at last night's budget meeting after several SAC funded groups appealed their budgets. Ten organizations appealed their recommended budgets to the general body, and five of them received the extra money they requested. The budgetary process has been ongoing for the past two months. After receiving requests, conducting interviews and having discussions with each group's representatives, the SAC Finance Committee, chaired by College junior David West, produced recommended budgets, based on the information and SAC guidelines. According to policy, budgets go to the general body, made up of a student representative from each SAC recognized group, for approval. After appeals are decided, the body must pass each individual budget without any challenges. PENNpals, WQHS radio station, AIESEC, the Black Wharton Undergraduate Association and Counterparts were granted money in areas of office expenses, publicity, program costs and transportation. After appeals were completed, a motion was made by College junior Jeffrey Cohen to suspend SAC's constitution. Cohen represented Penn Transfers, an organization which holds activities during each semester for transfer students. Cohen said he had wanted to appeal his budget, but missed the deadline -- Monday at 5 p.m. -- because of "miscommunication." According to West, SAC's constitution says appeals must be in written form by deadline. The body voted to suspend SAC's constitution so Cohen could make his appeal. Cohen appealed for over $1,500 to be used for food during opening events which will be held in the fall, before Dining Services opens. SAC guidelines specifically do not allow for payment for food, West said. But the general body can overrule the Finance Committee, and they do not have to follow the guidelines. After much debate and discussion, one frustrated SAC representative finally said, "It's a shame we can't just give them the freakin' pizza!" The SAC general body then voted to give Penn Transfers the money they requested, bringing the total appeal money granted to $8,399. West said this is not the first time the Committee has made recommendations which initially followed the guidelines, but was overruled by the body. "In the past couple of years, the Finance Committee has always not recommended the money for food, but [groups] have always gotten [the money] on appeal from the general body," West said after the meeting. And outgoing Steering Committee member Brad Rosenberg, who served as liaison to the Finance Committee, said he was disappointed the body did not follow guidelines. "They did not follow guidelines as strictly as they could have," he said. "But I know people were restless towards the end." West said he is concerned about the amount of contingency money allocated by the body. "We went through a significant portion of it," he added. "We have run out in past years and that could happen next year too."