Spring Break
Student leaders initiate financial oversight committee
Aaron Hedge and J. David McSwane
Issue date: 10/15/08 Section: News
Over winter break, the investigative committee will make recommendations based on e-mail surveys of the CSU community to university officials for budget items, outlining spending priorities that students approve.
Palmer initiated the meetings in response to concern among student government officials about skyrocketing tuition and fee rates in an environment where a significantly smaller number of credit hours are taught by tenure-track professors.
And with dwindling state funds for higher education and an on-going national economic crisis, students taking loans to pay for their tuition face an uncertain future.
The CSU proposed budget for fiscal year 2010 outlines a more than $57.5 million spending authority, up by more than $18 million from fiscal year 2009, and the coalition is skeptical about where the bulk of the new money will come from.
Historically, an increased spending authority from the state correlates to an effective increase in tuition for students and their families.
"Where are they going to get money to pay for a $57.5 million budget? The answer is (the students), but (they) can't pay for it," Palmer said.
But Bohlander said the proposed budget is only that -- proposed.
"That is what we term an aspiration budget … this is version 1.0," he said, adding that the proposal is based on best-case-scenario data, and nothing is set in stone until the JBC approves the budget in spring, 2009.
The budget proposal calls for a $4 million decrease from last year in expenditures on mandatory costs, which include salary increases, debt service and utilities.
The leftover money -- more than $34 million -- will be allocated to what Palmer called "audacious" stretch goals, including bringing in 95 new faculty lines and $2 million in expenditures for the university's widely-touted green initiatives.
Trevor Trout, the former vice president for ASCSU, said it's unclear where the money is coming from and called for more transparency from the administration.
Palmer initiated the meetings in response to concern among student government officials about skyrocketing tuition and fee rates in an environment where a significantly smaller number of credit hours are taught by tenure-track professors.
And with dwindling state funds for higher education and an on-going national economic crisis, students taking loans to pay for their tuition face an uncertain future.
The CSU proposed budget for fiscal year 2010 outlines a more than $57.5 million spending authority, up by more than $18 million from fiscal year 2009, and the coalition is skeptical about where the bulk of the new money will come from.
Historically, an increased spending authority from the state correlates to an effective increase in tuition for students and their families.
"Where are they going to get money to pay for a $57.5 million budget? The answer is (the students), but (they) can't pay for it," Palmer said.
But Bohlander said the proposed budget is only that -- proposed.
"That is what we term an aspiration budget … this is version 1.0," he said, adding that the proposal is based on best-case-scenario data, and nothing is set in stone until the JBC approves the budget in spring, 2009.
The budget proposal calls for a $4 million decrease from last year in expenditures on mandatory costs, which include salary increases, debt service and utilities.
The leftover money -- more than $34 million -- will be allocated to what Palmer called "audacious" stretch goals, including bringing in 95 new faculty lines and $2 million in expenditures for the university's widely-touted green initiatives.
Trevor Trout, the former vice president for ASCSU, said it's unclear where the money is coming from and called for more transparency from the administration.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Bob Vangermeersch
posted 10/15/08 @ 12:51 PM MST
Gentlemen
There are severa;l areas to check into:
1. Internal Audit Dept.--- The head of that dept. should report directly to the BOG. I have found that Penley writes and approves the Dept. (Continued…)
Lester Washington
posted 10/20/08 @ 12:05 PM MST
DEAR ASCSU:
EXCELENT MOVE ON THE "FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE." CSU ALSO NEEDS A FAIR AND UNBIASED EMPLOYMNENT COMMITTEE TO ASSIST MINORITIES IN GETTING CLASS ASSISTANT, TEACHER ASSISTANT, GTA, GRA, TEACHER ASSSISTANT, AND OTHER ON CAMPUS JOBS AND POSITIONS ON CSU'S CAMPUS. (Continued…)
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