Peak Adventures and Associated Students, Inc. looked for answers but found more questions last week as they examined the program?s budget history and current expenses.

ASI allocated $42,000 last month to the outdoor recreation program, which faces a deficit for the sixth year in a row. However, some board members questioned the wisdom of that decision, and suggested the program undergo a formal audit.

Those questions prompted ASI to call a special meeting last week to quiz director of Peak Adventures Jael Barnoske about the program?s operations.

“We?ve been cutting back on expenses for years. We are down to our bare bones,” Barnoske said. “It?s ridiculous because my program is being scrutinized. We?ve made decisions with a frugal budget for years now.”

Still, the program has run over budget six years in a row, and Barnoske said one reason for the deficit is money that Peak continues to pay for the relocation and expansion of its ropes course ? an expense carried on the books since 1997. Barnoske also said that the University committed to pay for the move, but the money never reached Peak.

Now, four weeks after Barnoske and ASI Vice President of Finance Tom Hughes raised the facility move as an issue, new facts have surfaced that cast the expense in a new light and bring up questions about how ASI handled the transfer of funds from the University.

Former Associate Vice President of Facilities Management Howard Harris sent a memo to former ASI Executive Director Carol Ackerson dated June 16, 1997 which stated, “The estimated cost to relocate the course is approximately $20,000 and the work will be funded from the University Perimeter Road Project. The work will consist of removing and reinstalling the course and does not provide for enhancements.”

Calls to Ackerson?s office were not returned by The State Hornet?s Dec. 3 deadline.

ASI Interim Executive Director Pat Worley said ASI and the University shook on the deal, but not much else.

“The understanding was in form of a conversation; no memos or anything were involved. Multiple people were present in this dialogue and there was no formal documentation,” Worley said.

Initially, the University proposed to give ASI $20,000. However, in a memo from ASI to Harris dated April 16, 1999, former ASI Controller Scott Taylor asked the University to “please remit to Associated Students, Inc. of California State University, Sacramento $5,000 as reimbursement of ASCSUS?s costs incurred in moving the CSUS Ropes Course to its present location.”

Associate Vice President of Finance Jon Self said that during the summer of 1997, the University found out Peak Adventures didn?t just move the course. They had also enhanced it and included that cost ? $15,000 ? when Ackerson bargained with Self.

“The new one is much fancier,” Self said. “It was an ASI decision to enhance the course. It wouldn?t be fair to use legitimate state funds to help with the enhancement of their course, so we only gave them money for the move.”

Although questions about the ropes course move have been resolved, uncertainty still remains as to whether Peak Adventures? future will look like its past.

ASI Director of Post Baccalaureate Students Mohamed Hamada wrote legislation last week proposing that Peak Adventures undergo an “external audit.”

“I believe this is legitimate, because if ASI is willing to allocate money for them, then we should also be willing to spend some money to have the program analyzed and looked into more closely,” Hamada said. The thought of this proposal caused ASI board members to disagree. Hughes believes that if ASI were to bring in an outside consultant, it may question the competency of the program. After some discussion, Hamada agreed not to push his idea.

“I will either withdraw or dramatically change my legislation,” Hamada said in response to Hughes? objections. “With this legislation, I was looking into a way I could help stabilize the program, but now I feel it?s just not a good idea anymore. It may cost more than I would want it to.”

Hamada?s legislation is on the agenda for Wednesday?s ASI Board meeting in the Foothill Suite at 1 p.m.