SGA debates $340K surplus
Michael Mandelkern
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: News
The college's Student Senate, the legislative body of the Student Government Association (SGA), held the first meeting of its 13th session on Feb. 2.
The Senate discussed potential ways to spend the SGA's $340,000 budget surplus.
SGA currently has an endowment of $650,000. The budget is generated from Skidmore's Student Activity Fee, which brings the SGA $319.50 per student enrollment.
The money goes toward a club fee, hall dues, classes and an assessment of the Skidmore Pavillion Corporation, a New York State-recognized not-for-profit corporation that paid for Falstaff's operation.
Over-enrollment for the past several years and interest rate profits from prior to the Great Recession have generated the excess $340,000.
With the money still idle, there is pressure to put it to use.
"It's our duty as SGA officers to allocate that money appropriately to suit the students' needs," said Raina Bretan '10, SGA president.
"We shouldn't have large amounts of money hanging around unallocated," said Barbara Schallehn, assistant director of Leadership Activities.
After Schallehn outlined the status of the SGA's endowment, the Senate debated where the funds should be placed.
Senator Jon Schneider '10, vice president for Communication and Outreach, proposed constructing a new building on campus with various purposes.
"It could be very flexible," he said. Schallehn assured him that such an investment is feasible when he expressed skepticism of physically planning such a project.
Senator Andrew Lichtenberg '11, president of Jonsson Tower and treasurer of the Running Club, offered support for Schneider's idea.
"It's definitely doable to build another building with our money," Lichtenberg said.
Other senators presented more humble ambitions. Senator Emma Blumer '10, vice president for Diversity Affairs, stressed the importance of funding having a long-term benefit.
"It has to be distributed wisely," she said. Blumer also suggested that the money could fund study breaks for an extended period of time.
Some senators emphasized the potential acadmemic benefit the surplus could bring. Wilmarth President Alexis Curry '12 and Senator-at-LargeKate Millar '12 proposed funding for scholarships and internships.
"It should be directly for the students," Millar said.
Senator-at-Large Alex Bland '12 agreed with Millar's proposal.
"Grants for internships is one of the best things we can do," Bland said.
He also voiced fiscal conservatism by suggesting SGA save the money in case the budget reaches a deficit in the future.
SGA has been investing its surplus at a five-percent interest rate until the Great Recession deepened in late-2008, after which the money transferred into a more secure amount.
After the forum on SGA's surplus, Claire Solomon '10, vice president for Academic Affairs, presented a resolution proposing a decrease in student membership on the Committee for Educational Policies and Planning (CEPP), a part of Willingness-to-Serve.
She expressed that CEPP, the all-college committee that reviews Academic Policies and Planning, has not had the second student position filled.
Thomas Rivera '13, president of the Class of 2013, voiced hesitancy of only having one student chair a CEPP committee.
"I do think two minds work better than one," he said.
He spoke strongly that SGA should promote the positions more extensively to avoid cutting positions and avoid precedent for reducing membership in other SGA committees.
Schneider backed Solomon's approach, citing that on Academic Council one person sitting on represents all other members, not just him or herself.
In other news:
• Senator Daniel DeMartini '11, Scribner senator, advocated drafting a condensed description of the student body's leadership role in the Skidmore community. He is collaborating with Michelle Hubbs, director of Community Service Programs.
• The SGA rescheduled its election speech night for new positions to 6 p.m. on Feb. 9 in the Spa. Elections will take place from Feb. 10 to Feb. 12.
Senate meets at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays in Ladd 307.
The Senate discussed potential ways to spend the SGA's $340,000 budget surplus.
SGA currently has an endowment of $650,000. The budget is generated from Skidmore's Student Activity Fee, which brings the SGA $319.50 per student enrollment.
The money goes toward a club fee, hall dues, classes and an assessment of the Skidmore Pavillion Corporation, a New York State-recognized not-for-profit corporation that paid for Falstaff's operation.
Over-enrollment for the past several years and interest rate profits from prior to the Great Recession have generated the excess $340,000.
With the money still idle, there is pressure to put it to use.
"It's our duty as SGA officers to allocate that money appropriately to suit the students' needs," said Raina Bretan '10, SGA president.
"We shouldn't have large amounts of money hanging around unallocated," said Barbara Schallehn, assistant director of Leadership Activities.
After Schallehn outlined the status of the SGA's endowment, the Senate debated where the funds should be placed.
Senator Jon Schneider '10, vice president for Communication and Outreach, proposed constructing a new building on campus with various purposes.
"It could be very flexible," he said. Schallehn assured him that such an investment is feasible when he expressed skepticism of physically planning such a project.
Senator Andrew Lichtenberg '11, president of Jonsson Tower and treasurer of the Running Club, offered support for Schneider's idea.
"It's definitely doable to build another building with our money," Lichtenberg said.
Other senators presented more humble ambitions. Senator Emma Blumer '10, vice president for Diversity Affairs, stressed the importance of funding having a long-term benefit.
"It has to be distributed wisely," she said. Blumer also suggested that the money could fund study breaks for an extended period of time.
Some senators emphasized the potential acadmemic benefit the surplus could bring. Wilmarth President Alexis Curry '12 and Senator-at-LargeKate Millar '12 proposed funding for scholarships and internships.
"It should be directly for the students," Millar said.
Senator-at-Large Alex Bland '12 agreed with Millar's proposal.
"Grants for internships is one of the best things we can do," Bland said.
He also voiced fiscal conservatism by suggesting SGA save the money in case the budget reaches a deficit in the future.
SGA has been investing its surplus at a five-percent interest rate until the Great Recession deepened in late-2008, after which the money transferred into a more secure amount.
After the forum on SGA's surplus, Claire Solomon '10, vice president for Academic Affairs, presented a resolution proposing a decrease in student membership on the Committee for Educational Policies and Planning (CEPP), a part of Willingness-to-Serve.
She expressed that CEPP, the all-college committee that reviews Academic Policies and Planning, has not had the second student position filled.
Thomas Rivera '13, president of the Class of 2013, voiced hesitancy of only having one student chair a CEPP committee.
"I do think two minds work better than one," he said.
He spoke strongly that SGA should promote the positions more extensively to avoid cutting positions and avoid precedent for reducing membership in other SGA committees.
Schneider backed Solomon's approach, citing that on Academic Council one person sitting on represents all other members, not just him or herself.
In other news:
• Senator Daniel DeMartini '11, Scribner senator, advocated drafting a condensed description of the student body's leadership role in the Skidmore community. He is collaborating with Michelle Hubbs, director of Community Service Programs.
• The SGA rescheduled its election speech night for new positions to 6 p.m. on Feb. 9 in the Spa. Elections will take place from Feb. 10 to Feb. 12.
Senate meets at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays in Ladd 307.
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