Cost to students rises in new IUSA budget

The IU Student Association unanimously approved its $82,000 budget for 2006-07 at the first Congress meeting of the year Tuesday night. The budget, which relies heavily on student funds, had a $26,000 reduction from the previous year's budget. \n"We just want to be conservative because it's the students' money and we're not going to waste it," said IUSA Treasurer, junior Mary Kerschner. "There's been a lot of thought put in this to be conservative."\nRegardless of the overall reduction, students will be paying more per year on the new budget, up to $1.18 from $1.13 last year per student. However, last year's revenues were higher due to rollover funds totaling $19,000 from 2004-05 and credit card funds from the Chancellor totaling $10,000, both of which were absent from this year's budget.\nSignificant budget reductions were seen in various departments, including $10,950 off the total office budget, which includes items such as computers, rent and office supplies. Also, $3,500 was cut for the administration budget that provides funds for retreats and leadership training. Another large cut was seen in IUSA's Indiana Daily Student advertising contract budget, which dropped from $21,265 to $8,500. \nPart of the budget is also allocated for stipends to executive members working in Bloomington for the summer. Total stipend funds were raised by $500. However, $500 cuts taken by three members -- the president, vice president and vice president of congress -- offset this raise. IUSA President, junior Betsy Henke said in an April 18, 2006, Indiana Daily Student article that she would decline the traditional stipend money she would receive if she's not in Bloomington for the whole summer. \n"I don't plan on taking it unless I am here the entire summer," she said in the article. "It's just not right."\nAfter the meeting, junior Andrew Lauck, IUSA vice president, said every one included in the executive budget would be there for at least a portion of the summer, and he said stipends were cut down because they would be there only a portion of the summer. \n"Betsy and I are going to be here for a large portion of it," he said. "More than half (of the summer)."\nRepresentative and junior Curtis Griner discussed a resolution for obtaining a media downloading service for IU's student body. This would involve a downloading service being available to IU students for free. \nThe resolution passed, but senior Garrett Scharton, chief of external affairs, said IUSA's preliminary support of the idea does not mean IUSA will necessarily implement it; it simply means IUSA is simply interested in pursuing it.\nSophomore Congress member, sophomore Lauren Woods voiced her opinion on pursuing the download proposal.\n"While we were campaigning, this was one of the things we really pushed for. I think it's important to show we're not full of empty campaign promises. We should allow (Griner) to at least pursue this."\nVice President of Congress, junior Clark Kaericher said he was pleasantly surprised by the amount in attendance. Forty-six members were at the meeting of the 58 members. \n"They had issues in the past with attendance, and this (high numbered) attendance hasn't happened in awhile," Kaericher said.\nHe said at past meetings where IUSA selected administrative positions they had to reschedule because not enough members showed up. To approve resolutions, at least half of the Congress members must be present and vote.\nIn addition to the budget, Speaker of the House elections were held. Junior Jack Story was elected to the position, defeating three other candidates. Law student Meghan Dwyer was appointed the Chief Justice for next year. The appointment of six associate justices was approved, after they were selected from a pool of 60 applicants, Dwyer said. Executive Directors were also approved.