How do you budget fun?

Who has the time to plan and maintain a budget? SGA Financial Officer Erika Stranghoener does.

Each year, she leads Student Government Association through painstakingly allocating its $800,000 grant, which comes from your tuition dollars. Incoming executives select the percent of their money that will go to various core functions: hiring speakers, publicity, food, etc.

Last night, Student Senate went through the biennial ritual of budget reporting. The entire assembly, seated around the table in the David E. Johnson boardroom, listened as executives walked through their line items. The budget was projected on a large screen at the front of the room. What is the point of this charade? Since senators represent you, and you fund our existence, the process guarantees transparency and accountability to make sure executives are spending their money wisely.

Senators can--and do--ask very specific questions. Thorson Senator Charles DeBeck had such a question during last night's meeting.

"I notice the Political Awareness Committee has already spent most of its hospitality budget (used to provide food and lodging for visiting speakers). What will happen to the spring speakers?"

PAC Coordinator Laura Groggel replied: not enough money was allocated into the relatively small account at the beginning of the year, and the number will have to be adjusted. Plus, there's a backup account for meals in the Caf.

Little things like this may not seem a big deal. But the process guarantees that money is spent frugally and responsibly, and when you're dealing with tuition dollars, that makes a difference.