Author: Kim Petrie
Found in section: News
Actual Money Could Soon Replace Projected Budget Figures / Photo Courtesy By Ben Harthun
Talk of budget cuts and tuition increases have seemingly become common practice around the Bellevue College campus. Students are all too familiar with the current economy’s impact on the higher education.
For the past several weeks, the members of the Services and Activities Committee have been collaborating to make a definitive step in protecting the funds allotted to S&A regardless of outside circumstance.
In the past, the S&A budget has always operated on a projected basis. The school projects the amount of money to be allocated into S&A, based off enrollment and the previous year’s allotment. This essentially acts as credit, which means if unforeseen challenges arise, S&A funds could potentially be affected. This could include, but is certainly not limited to enrollment changes, budget cuts, or a poor economy.
In this regard, “we spend [the money] before we know how much we are going to get.” said ASG VP of Finance and Communication Chapman Chung.
While this system has been viable thus far, the new system will aim to minimize the amount of outside factors that can impact the budget.
Last year’s S&A budget totaled around $1.635 million. $1.06 million of that was in salaries and benefits, mostly for students. S&A also covers campus programs that have played a huge role in BC student life. It undoubtedly impacts a significant percentage of the BC campus.
For over nine years Assistant Dean of Student Programs Faisal Jaswal has been part of this long term plan. The backbone of this plan has been the strategic reserve fund that has been established. Each year a small amount of the projected budget was placed in reserve.
The reserve has finally accumulated enough money to cover the annual S&A budget.
The S&A budget now has the potential to be restructured from projected money to actual money. This is exactly what the committee has set out to do.
“This is a fantastic position to be in. It’s never been done,” said Jaswal.
In its inaugural year, the reserve funds will provide the money for the budget. The projected or credited money that would have otherwise acted as backing for the budget will instead be allocated back into the reserve to replenish the funds used throughout the year. Using the previous year’s funds will continue to sustain the practice of using actual money rather than projected.
“The plan will take out the guess work. It’s kind of like a built-in security for all students,” said Mary Canan, Director of Finance.
It seems this restructuring couldn’t come at a better time.
“We’re facing a double bubble: enrollment and the economy. The switch can absorb those repercussions. If enrollment starts to decline we have a year’s worth of work to prepare for it,” said Jaswal.
Though his involvement has been pivotal, Jaswal was quick to emphasize the current committee’s work as what is truly responsible for this unprecedented action.
“You don’t need the architect after the building is already built,” said Jaswal.
ASG VP of Finance and Communication Chapman Chung is the chair of the S&A committee. ASG President Joseph Root, Representatives-at-large Hilary Franco and Stanley Wong make up the student portion of the committee. Director of Finance Mary Canan, classified employee Cindy Boekhoff, and faculty member James Torrence comprised the remainder of the committee.
Together they have taken the idea given to them by Jaswal and are closer than ever to bringing it to life.
The next step will be taking the plan to the ASG Board of Directors. If approved, it will then be sent to the BC President’s office to be placed on the Board of Trustees’ agenda. During their upcoming meeting, the Board will discuss and open for approval.
If the plan is made into action, it be a monumental success for members of the committee as well as future generations of BC students.
