Programming Board could get extra funds for semester events

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A “miscommunication” possibly could allocate $35,055.08 more in funds to ASMSU’s Programming Board to support student events across campus.

ASMSU’s Student Assembly Finance Committee on Thursday passed the bill five votes to four that would give more funds to the board, which already receives about 20 percent of ASMSU’s total budget — about $1.3 million.

Programming Board is comprised of 13 student organizations, which sponsor activities and events on campus.

ASMSU is MSU’s undergraduate student government.

Members of the various Programming Board groups, such as Great Issues, Culturas de las Razas Unidas and Pop Entertainment, said the groups were told they would receive the $52,582.63 that was unspent from last year. The board currently has about $76,000 to spend on events, but planned to have the extra money, causing it to plan “bigger and better programs.”

Programming Board is requesting the money come from ASMSU’s special projects and risk management funds in equal amounts. The transfer would occur immediately and be used during the current fall and upcoming spring semesters.

Garrett Faulk, Student Assembly vice chairperson for internal affairs, was persistent in his disapproval for the bill. After the bill passed, he called it “a complete gross misallocation of money.”

Alliance of Lesbian, Bi, Gay and Transgender Students representative Uri Donnett was the bill’s highest proponent. Faulk argued that Programming Board had overspent, a claim that Donnett sternly refuted.

“They’ve been stringent in accounting,” he said. “I think when you read the bill it speaks for itself.”

The bill will be addressed by Student Assembly’s general assembly Thursday.

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