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By Amanda Schapel

DAILY BRUIN SENIOR STAFF

aschapel@media.ucla.edu

The Associated Students of UCLA will have approximately $10,000 more in their reserve fund, thanks to an unexpected move by the Graduate Students Association.

At the July 26 meeting of the ASUCLA Board of Directors, members voted 5-3 to accept an offer made in a letter from GSA president Charles Harless to return thousands of dollars in maintenance and utility subsidies to the association.

“We felt that since GSA is a part of ASUCLA we must be willing to support the association both verbally and financially when needed,” the letter said.

Because of ASUCLA’s recent financial troubles – largely due to the $500,000 to $1 million it will cost the association to hire around 100 newly-unionized non-student employees – GSA “felt a responsibility” to return their subsidy, according to Harless.

Returning the money, which offsets energy and maintenance costs for student government offices, will have minimal impact on GSA finances because of a recent increase in graduate student member fees, Harless said.

Now that the money is returned, it will likely go into the ASUCLA reserve fund to protect the association in tough financial times, according to board Vice Chair Randy Hall.

“Our main priority right now is to maintain a positive net income,” Hall said. “We’re in a potentially risky situation.”

Some board members resisted accepting GSA’s offer on the principle that ASUCLA should treat the student governments equally.

Last spring, when ASUCLA submitted a budget which lacked the usual subsidy funding, GSA passed the budget, but the Undergraduate Students Association Council refused it because of the subsidy cuts.

A referendum to increase student fees for USAC failed due to lack of voter turnout, so USAC felt ASUCLA’s cuts were too large a burden to bear.

The board decided to grant USAC their subsidy, but in the spirit of fairness also offered GSA a proportional amount of subsidy funds.

When GSA gave the money back, some board members thought the principle of equal treatment meant GSA must pocket the money. But after some debate, the board decided they’d take it.

Unlike GSA, USAC needs every bit of its close to $40,000 subsidy, said USAC President David Dahle.

USAC would be “in big trouble” without the subsidy, Dahle said.

By returning the funds, GSA is preparing itself for a future when ASUCLA may not be able to offer a subsidy, according to Harless. GSA also wanted to improve their relationship with ASUCLA.

The intent was well-received.

“I see GSA’s offer as a strong show of support for unity,” Hall said.