Associated Students, Inc. last Wednesday passed their $8 million budget for 2002-2003, three weeks later than expected.

The $8 million is collected from student fees, grants and program revenue every year and helps fund ASI programs such as the Children?s Center, Peak Adventures and the Aquatic Center. budget for 2002-2003, three weeks later than expected.

The controversies that delayed the budget?s approval were resolved after ASI President Artemio Pimentel presented budget amendments to the board at the May 1 meeting. budget for 2002-2003, three weeks later than expected.

The board chose to put an additional $23,400 into the Leadership budget for director and executive office stipend increases. The money will come from cutting all internal ASI programs, excluding the Leadership budget, which funds member travel and accommodation expenses and retreats.

This cut would give individual board members a $150 increase in monthly stipends. The ASI President receives a $930 monthly stipend, the three vice presidents receive $800 a month and the directors for each college receive $200 a month.

Not all board members thought it was a good idea.

“This is a slap in the face. It?s gross and appalling ? it?s a 75 percent increase,” ASI Vice President of Finance Tom Hughes told the board. “We?re cutting from programs to increase salaries.”

Hughes declined further comment.

Director of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Luke Wood agreed.

“It?s horrible of us to do this; we should not be getting raises,” Wood said.

The board of directors has not received a raise in three years, according to ASI Vice President of University Affairs Lisanne Nakayama, who was in favor of stipend increases.

Pimentel hopes that higher pay will help board members commit more time to ASI and also promote a higher retention rate.

“It?s ridiculous that the board will put in 30 hours a week and get paid something like $2.50 an hour or so,” Pimentel told the board at last week?s meeting.

The board also passed a $7,000 increase for summer DOC/SEL funding, bringing the program?s total allocation to $20,000 compared to the original $13,000 budgeted.

Each year, ASI gives money to Dollars for Organizations and Clubs and Student Education and Leadership, grants which fund individual students who qualify for major related projects or club and organization activities.

“It?s essential to promote campus life on a year-round basis,” Pimentel said. “Adding more money to DOC/SEL will make ASI more accessible to students and give some money back to them.”

Send comments, questions, or concerns to [email protected]

For questions or information regarding thesite, please contact [email protected]