SGA to form special committee to evaluate Campus Programming Fund
The Student Government Association is launching a committee to look into how effective Central Michigan University's Campus Programing Fund is for the various departments it covers.
The CPF fuels Student Activities and Involvement, University Recreation, Multicultural and Academic Student Services, Greek Life, SGA and the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center. This account has had roughly the same amount of money in it every year since 2001.
“The other offices might say we are approaching a crisis level; I say we are already in the crisis level with this fund,” said Kevin White, student budget and allocations committee chairperson and head of the inquiry.
The fund has had a steady $800,000 in it every year since 2001 and has never been adjusted for inflation.
“The departments don’t have the same buying power they used to. So, to pay for what they want to continue, they have to be creative with their cuts. Just getting the fund adjusted for the inflation will be a benefit,” White said.
Since it has not been adjusted for inflation, CPF is losing more than $200,000 worth of buying power this year.
“Every program has expanded, but the funding for them has not,” White said.
SGA Vice President Patrick O’Connor has been busy assembling the rest of the committee. So far, White holds the head position and SGA Treasurer Maggie Blackmer is the vice chair.
“A notice was sent to all the offices who are funded by the CPF, asking them to send a representative for the committee,” O’Connor said. “Ideally, we would like to have a total of nine people on the committee so every program that is affected by CPF will have a chance to be heard. We’ve seen how low (CPF) is and are interested in finding its effect.”
The findings in the inquiry will determine if anything needs to be done. If the offices being funded by the CPF say they are fine and have been experiencing no impact from the limited funds, then the issue will end up being dropped, O’Connor said.
The manner in how the inquiry will be conducted is up to White. The committees' findings are due to SGA President Marie Reimers by Oct. 31. It will be introduced to the SGA Senate and House of Representatives by Nov. 4, and a bill must be ready to be voted on by Nov. 18.
