ASA vote removes buckets

 

The approximately 220 AUBGers who attended the All Student Assembly (ASA) on September 30 met the 20 percent quorum required to vote on proposals put forward by the Student Government (SG). They voted for the budget plan suggested by the SG by an overwhelming majority.

 

Although the SG budget available for expenditure decreased, the money allocated to clubs increased by $4,828 from the $10,000 allocated the previous year ( $10,000 according to the Fall ‘08 ASA minutes).

The change was made possible by decreasing the Student Life Improvement Fund by $600 from the previous $1,000, and removing the buckets allocated for More Honors and AUBG Olympics.

The quorum was met approximately 30 minutes into the ASA, after more AUBGers assembled in the New Academic Building (NAB) Auditorium. Students were calling their friends and greeted the ones who joined the event later.

During the introductory part of the ASA SG President Alexandru Panici, announced this year's goals of the SG, which include reconnecting with the Alumni Association, strengthening ties with the Blagoevgrad community, assisting student-run organizations with fundraising, and improving communication between the SG and the student body, as well as the Administration.

The SG Budgetary Committee Guidelines are the same as last year. Student-run clubs can apply for basic funding and premium funding. Basic funding covers promotional and operational expenses, while premium funding is allocated to clubs for events that, among other requirements, need to be beneficial to a large number of AUBG students.

The removal of buckets for More Honors and AUBG Olympics stirred the opposition of some students present at the ASA, but the motion to amend the proposed budget by reestablishing the buckets was not passed.

Marina Ceprazova, co-president of More Honors and the vice president of the SG, said she supports the decision to remove the buckets . "This is not the year to be stubborn. [...]SG presented the arguments behind the budget proposed," she said. Ceprazova is not involved in SG budgetary decisions.

Dimitar Pashov, the president of AUBG Olympics, said the SG is going to help the club both by direct financing and getting external funding.

SG Treasurer Eva Pillossof said the removal of the buckets will make the budget more flexible and efficient. "A bucket is the minimum amount from the budget that a club is getting," Pillossof said. "They [More Honors and AUBG Olympics] can still apply for SG funding," she added. "I can ensure everybody that [More Honors] and Olympics will take place, and this year they have the necessary support and experience to take these events to new heights," Panici said.

To finance the needs of all clubs, the SG is planning to seek help from the Alumni Association. "We know a lot of people, we know a lot of alumni. [They] are actually willing to share or to sponsor some of our events, just because it's part of alumni culture," Panici said.

Another motion, proposing to move money from the Clubs portion of the budget to the Student Life Improvement Fund, was not successful. "If we have a really good project we are going to support it," Pillossof said.

The SG parties account remained at $1,000. This year there will be two SG parties as opposed to one last year, Panici said.

The structure of this year's SG budget is:
Clubs – $14828
Student Life Improvement Fund – $400
SG Parties – $1000
More Honors – X
AUBG Olympics – X
SG Operational Expenses – $200
Chair's Discretionary – $500