In a collapsing economy that's leaving no federal, state or city agency untouched in its unpredictable path, one campus organization was able to keep its budget within just $35 of the previous year's.
That organization is... ASMSU?
MSU's undergraduate student government that loves to try to jack up our taxes by $3 to provide us with "free" 50-cent blue books has suddenly reached a plateau of financial stability in a shaky economic climate. We applaud the group for its fiscal responsibility amid $1.7-billion state budget cuts and $30-million university budget cuts.
Student Assembly approved next year's budget on Feb. 27. The budget, which saw only $35 in cuts, allocates $776,000 in student dollars, based on projected enrollment for 2003-04.
While legal services will receive an extra $8,000, because those services are continually utilized, Student Assembly Chairman Matt Weingarden said, the Red Cedar Log received a $5,400 cut.
The yearbook currently receives $26,000 from ASMSU to cover labor. This is in addition to the $3 student tax the Red Cedar Log receives each semester.
To avoid chopping off copy editors' salaries, which business manager Cole Young said might be the cut's result, we have a much more practical solution. Instead of printing massive amounts of the book, whose functions include leveling tables and acting as a coaster, perhaps the group could take into account how many are taken from book stores each year and how many are still hanging around during summer classes.
The only problem we had with what appears to be a very sound budget is ASMSU's request for an additional 75-cent student tax to be voted on March 19.
With a proposed 6.5-percent university funding cut, students are looking at double-digit tuition hikes.
It's hard to look at this seemingly under-control budget and think, "Man, they really need 75 more cents from 40,000 students." Students will be pulled from all sides in the near future and it looks like ASMSU is the last organization that needs our help.
It's commendable to see how much the student government has grown in its ability to allocate students' funds - perhaps the MSU Board of Trustees or the Michigan Legislature could take some budget-balancing tips from the group.
But, unable to quit while it's ahead, ASMSU needs to lay off the call for alms when its financial future seems quite stable.
