USG approves $270,842 fall semester budget

The Undergraduate Student Government approved its $270,842 fall budget Sunday night.

The budget is broken down into $26,740 in internal expenses, $50,600 for external expenses, $21,500 for class councils, and $18,850 in contingency.

The USG set aside $22,552 for its initiatives to improve neighborhood relations, enhance the transfer student experience and create a healthier, smoke-free campus.

Club budget allocations

The USG approved the club budget allocations and allocated $125,000 for club-related funding.

The finance committee spent two days reviewing budget requests, using a template to remain “as concise and fair as [we] could be,” said USG Vice President of Financial Affairs Greg Scharine.

Some clubs will not get the full amount they requested. In many cases, these clubs still had money from last year, Scharine said.

“We want to see club balances as close to zero as possible at the end of the semester” so the money allocated to clubs is spent, he said.

The USG set aside $12,000 for clubs to work with the new purchasing policy. The money will be used to help clubs if they made budgeting mistakes because of the new policy, Scharine said.

The USG council members were asked to return handouts with budget allocation information after the meeting. Scharine said the USG did not want allocation amounts to be released before club presidents and advisers were notified.  The USG would not give TommieMedia detailed allocation information.

Commuter senator position filled by council election

The USG elected a new commuter senator after listening to five candidates make statements. The council voted after hearing the statements. Freshman Eden Checkol won the election and was immediately sworn in.

Checkol lives off campus in Roseville and told members she wants to send e-mails to commuter students so they do not feel “out of the loop” about campus events. She said she hopes to “be an outlet for commuter students.”

The commuter senator position opened when the former senator moved on campus.

New club approved

The USG approved the new Health and Human Performance Club. Student Organizations and Clubs Representative Kevin Klein said the club will plan events and talk to students interested in the health and human performance field.

Theresa Malloy can be reached at mall5754@stthomas.edu.