Budget approval needs reform
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Opinion
As student organizations wrap up their last activities of the year and begin to regroup for next year, many will be consulting their budgets that were approved at the last two senate meetings.
Emotions ran high exactly two weeks ago, when budgets were first subjected to the scrutiny of the college's senators.
Despite Dean of Students Chris Ogle's advice to think in terms of the macro process, discussion had a tendency to turn petty. It is hard to remain neutral on a campus of Ripon's size, where everyone has personal ties to certain organizations and political grudges against others.
However, senators should realize that there is no point in sacrificing their sanity in the name of student activities.
First of all, the budget committee met with one or more representatives from just about every student organization, allowing them up to a half an hour to question the representative about the budget they had presented, the status of the organization and where potential cuts could be made.
Thus, it makes sense to follow their recommendations for different line items, but challenge overarching discrepancies. For example, it is extremely important for the senators to assess whether or not the Choraliers should be given a budget based on their current lack of activism, not whether one budget category should be reduced or increased by $50.
It is clear that Senate is capable of passing budgets without tearing them to pieces as a remarkable number were approved in the hour between midnight and 1 a.m.; therefore, consistency and balance should be the goals.
When budgets were picked apart, it became very difficult for everyone to remain focused and even harder for everyone to know what specific motion was being discussed.
Overall, we applaud the senators' dedication and attention to detail; however, they must remember that the devil is in the details. While the senate is steeped in tradition and concrete procedures, it must recognize the benefits of reform.
Emotions ran high exactly two weeks ago, when budgets were first subjected to the scrutiny of the college's senators.
Despite Dean of Students Chris Ogle's advice to think in terms of the macro process, discussion had a tendency to turn petty. It is hard to remain neutral on a campus of Ripon's size, where everyone has personal ties to certain organizations and political grudges against others.
However, senators should realize that there is no point in sacrificing their sanity in the name of student activities.
First of all, the budget committee met with one or more representatives from just about every student organization, allowing them up to a half an hour to question the representative about the budget they had presented, the status of the organization and where potential cuts could be made.
Thus, it makes sense to follow their recommendations for different line items, but challenge overarching discrepancies. For example, it is extremely important for the senators to assess whether or not the Choraliers should be given a budget based on their current lack of activism, not whether one budget category should be reduced or increased by $50.
It is clear that Senate is capable of passing budgets without tearing them to pieces as a remarkable number were approved in the hour between midnight and 1 a.m.; therefore, consistency and balance should be the goals.
When budgets were picked apart, it became very difficult for everyone to remain focused and even harder for everyone to know what specific motion was being discussed.
Overall, we applaud the senators' dedication and attention to detail; however, they must remember that the devil is in the details. While the senate is steeped in tradition and concrete procedures, it must recognize the benefits of reform.
Be the first to comment on this story