The Finance and Budget Committee?s recommendation for the Associated Students, Inc., 2001/2002 budget was well received by members of ASI?s board of directors at its meeting last Wednesday.

If approved, the budget will go into effect on July 1, 2001 and will end on June 30, 2002. Paul Ueckert, ASI Director of Finance, discussed the draft budget in detail and took comments and questions regarding next year?s proposed budget.

The budget will be voted on at ASI?s April 18 board meeting.

“I think that this is the best budget for the students on this campus,” Ueckert said. “I hope that the board will recognize the hard work that was put into it.”

Ueckert discussed the overall information on the budget that included estimated student enrollment, the revenue that enrollment will generate and the major allocations for those fees recommended by the Finance and Budget Committee. The total revenue in this budget is expected to be $7,652,538. The total expenses are estimated to reach $7,246,826.

With some confusion on the surplus/reserve category, which is estimated at $405,712, Ueckert went on to explain what the category was for.

“This is the money set aside so that we have a reserve, so that we don?t go into the red zone,” Ueckert said. “This allows us to have money to pay the bills at the end of the semester.”

In a further explanation to the board of what this category actually is, Ueckert stated that ASI does not anticipate a deficit, but ASI needs to have that money available in the budget.

“The surplus/reserve is set aside for unexpected expenses,” Ueckert said.

There was some concern among members of the board when it came to the evening program at the Children?s Center.

Joseph Devlin, ASI director of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, voiced his opinion concerning the budget.

“I think that this budget is really good and really fair,” Devlin said. “However, I think there are a number of students who use the evening program at the Children?s Center and by cutting back here it is essentially taking them out of student enrollment.”

ASI President Jason Bryant seemed enthusiastic about finding a solution to this much-debated issue.

“I would like to see more interaction with the Parent Advisory Committee and ASI staff,” Bryant said.

Bryant would like to see some suggestions put on the table that will help put an end to this problem. Richard Lucier, ASI Director of Postbaccalaureate, praised Bryant for keeping the program open this year.

Overall, Ueckert received positive feedback on the 2001-2002 budget.

“This year, you and Carol (Ackerson) and the Finance and Budget Committee have done an awesome job,” CSSA representative, Shaun Lumachi said.

David Braverman, Associate VP of Student Affairs echoed Lumachi?s view stating that, “It looks good.”

“The Finance and Budget Committee did a fantastic job,” Lucier said.

Artemio Pimentel, ASI Executive Vice President also commended Ueckert and the Finance and Budget Committee for their work on the budget.

The vote on this budget will take place on April 18 and pending some minor changes, the budget will most likely be passed.