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