Student Union planning for difficult year
By Kim Nguyen
Memories of plunging revenues, multi-million dollar losses and
controversial dismissals still lingered in the air Friday as the
Associated Students Board of Directors met to face the daunting
task of restructuring the governing body that touches most aspects
of student life.
ASUCLA’s financial troubles began in early 1993 with revenue
losses of $1.7 million and came to a shattering climax this April
when Executive Director Jason Reed was controversially placed on
administrative leave after he announced projected revenue losses of
$1.8 million. Bankruptcy is still a very real threat.
The 1995-96 board met for the second time under the leadership
of York Chang, the undergraduate student president, to devise
financial strategies, discuss student programming funds and approve
the Undergraduate Students’ Association (USA) budget. The students’
association is at a crucial point in its history as it undergoes a
fundamental reevaluation, said board chairman Chang.
Vice Chair John Shapley shared Chang’s sentiments.
"There is a feeling of anticipation among board members. We are
in the position to shape the next age of ASUCLA. We need to be
sincere and committed and understand that these changes will not be
temporary," Shapley said.
Although the board does not anticipate discussing the annual
budget until September, management objectives indicate that there
will be a new emphasis on the organization’s infrastructure, which
includes investing in new technology and improving staff and
facilities.
"Prudent business principles dictate that in order to make a
business run well, you have to reinvest some of the profits," said
Richard Delia, the temporary Chief of Finances.
When the Alpha Partners consulting firm arrived on the financial
scene in March to replace Reed, the owners saw a need to rewrite
the entire annual budget, thus delaying the usual process. Without
an official budget, the board was reluctant to make any decisions
regarding funds for the coming school year. As a result, the money
used for student programming, called waiver pool funds, has not
been allocated and has postponed student programming, explained
Julie Tollefson, commissioner of Campus Events.
Waiver pool funds let student groups rent sites and use
audio/video equipment at reduced costs. Without the association’s
help, student groups, such as Samahang Pilipino, could not program
events like last year’s Pilipino-American History Month.
"Waiver pool is key in programming and programming is key to
education," said Samahang Pilipino President Valarie Villaraza.
However, student union officials assured board members and
students that groups could still request funding for the fall
quarter. Margaret Snow, director of student union services,
stressed that student programming would not be delayed. This will
be the first time in UCLA’s history that the students’ association
will begin school without a budget.
The Undergraduate Students’ Association budget was approved
quickly by the board upon recommendation of the plan by a high
ranking student union official. Although this year’s budget was
slightly higher than that of the previous year, the individual
budgets of the Financial Supports Commission and the Facilities
Commission were reduced by more than 58 percent and 31 percent,
respectively.
Conversely, the budgets of the Student Advocacy Groups and
External Vice President were increased. The budget adjustments seem
to indicate USA’s changing goals to some officials.
"Student government this year has prioritized affirmative action
and affirmative action education," said Frank Samson, a member of
the budget review committee.
The search for a new executive director is another crucial issue
that the board must address this year. Although the owners of Alpha
Partners filled the power vacuum created by Reed’s dismissal, a
long term leader is needed to solidify the new foundation that the
board hopes to build this year.
"We are looking for someone who not only has a strong business
sense but also a sincere commitment to the needs and wants of
students," said Shapley, a member of the committee that will
conduct the search.
The committee plans to hire a search firm to track down
qualified candidates. Although the process entails a lot of time,
Shapley hopes that a new executive director can be found by next
June.
While many students are more concerned with tangibles such as
food prices and employment practices, Chang emphasized that the
choice of the new executive director will significantly influence
the priorities of the board.
With eight new members, the board does not appear to be as
unified as last year’s unusually single minded board.
"The old board and myself are attempting to establish a
constructive relationship with new members," said Charles Mack,
acting co-executive director of ASUCLA.
Student groups worry that event funds will be cut