With Service and Activity budget deliberations approaching, the Associated Students of Olympic College government and the Budget Committee will be collaborating on the upcoming allocation of funds.
During the 2009-10 school year, the budget was allocated a final amount of $1,137,645, with additional one-time funds totaling $107,790. The upcoming year will see a rise in requested money as the budget committee attempts to keep many of the present programs intact.
“We want many of the current programs to continue,” said Toni Hartsfield, Student Programs and Leadership Director. “It’s really going to depend on how much money we get and how it’s directed.”
The requested amount for 2010-11 is $1,567,225, with additional one-time funding of $33,259.
“The money requested is always higher than what we have available,” said Hartsfield. “We’re going to have to be aware of how it’s allocated to maximize all of the activities we have now and plan on having.”
The ASOC and Budget Committee will work with one another on how much money should be spent and where before coming to a consensus on the final proposal.
“I hope we can divide the money up in areas that will best serve the students,” said ASOC President John Bowers. “It’s important that we provide an outstanding experience for everyone on campus.”
Athletics will have a significant dip in the total amount requested for next year, dropping nearly $80,000 from the previous budget proposal. The Child Development and Family Center will jump more than $50,000 for the upcoming request, while Recreation will only jump slightly.
These three areas account for nearly 50% of the total budget requests, primarily due to the extensive reach that each department has on students as a whole at OC.
Once a consensus is reached on the final budget requests, the proposal will be submitted to Richard MacLennan, vice president of Student Services.
“Every year my wish is to have us provide a wide array of services and activities that will help the students learn,” said Hartsfield. “We want them to be successful in their academic life here at OC.”
In light of the budget cuts OC will face due to the statewide deficit, the need for intelligent planning and financial allocation is very high to maximize the various student needs.
“We want to provide as much as we can for the students to allow them to do everything they can,” said Hartsfield. “We are striving to meet our student’s needs.”
Deliberations for the budget will begin March 15.
Be the first to comment on this article!