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Undergraduate leaders decided on Tuesday they needed more time and information before they could approve the budget of the student lobbying organization that represents them on a state level.

The Undergraduate Students Association Council voted to table consideration of the University of California Student Association’s budget for the current year, raising concerns about deficit spending and lack of detail about where exactly UCSA is spending its money.

A decision is not expected to affect the budget’s construction – UCSA can consider suggestions by council, but technically has no mandate to adjust.

UCSA lobbies the state on behalf of student issues, such as possible student fee hikes and fixing student housing costs. It is funded primarily through student fees collected from each of the system’s undergraduate and graduate student governments.

The association’s $294,000 budget for 2002-2003 includes a $17,000 deficit, which UCSA Vice Chair Chris Neal – who is also external vice president for USAC – said is cushioned by a savings pool of roughly $130,000.

General Representative Adam Harmetz shared with many the concern of the organization operating under a deficit.

Neal argued that the association is experiencing one of its most “robust” budgets, with savings $40,000 above its target level of $90,000. UCSA also added another staff position which accounts for increased operating costs. Neal said it was a “privilege” for UCSA to have enough savings to budget a deficit for this year.

However, Harmetz cautioned Neal against such a privilege when constructing the association’s budget for next fiscal year.

Other concerns raised during the council meeting were the unprecedented stipends Neal and UCSA Chair Steve Klass are receiving for their work heading the organization. Neal will receive $3,000 for the year, and Klass will receive $4,200.

Neal said the increased responsibilities of being vice chair – he said he will oversee UCSA as one additional task – warrant the stipend.

Hanish Rathod, external vice president for the Graduate Student Association – which unanimously disapproved the UCSA budget – said the chair positions’ prestige and voluntary nature negate the need for extra compensation.

Before tabling the budget, council members requested that Neal come back next week with a detailed breakdown of UCSA expenditures.