ASUCLA’s revised budget accepted

By Jenny Blake DAILY BRUIN CONTRIBUTOR
[email protected]

After postponing its approval two weeks, the Undergraduate
Students Association Council voted to accept a revised 2002-03
budget submitted by the Associated Students of UCLA on Tuesday
night.

“This is a victory for students,” said General
Representative Theo Apostol. “As a council, we effectively
came out with a positive result by acting on behalf of students on
being able to provide support and programming for them.”

The revised plan allocates $98,770 to USAC, instead of the
originally proposed $57, 776.

In a negotiation meeting Friday, the ASUCLA Board of Directors
agreed to amend the budget by reinstating an estimated $41,000
maintenance and utility subsidy to USAC.

But the subsidy still leaves USAC $30,000 less than it had last
year.

“I’m happy that we have an increased budget to work
with, but I think there is still a lot of work to be done in making
sure that students have the resources and funding they need,”
said Campus Events Commissioner Ryan Wilson. “We got the
subsidy reinstated, but there is still a long road ahead of
us.”

The revised budget passed unanimously Tuesday night with a
10-0-0 vote.

Next year’s council also held a meeting last night, in
which the new council members took their oath of office and
approved the Appointments Review Committee members.

For the 2002-03 council, President David Dahle originally
appointed General Representative Adam Harmetz and Student Welfare
Commissioner Crisette Leyco to serve as ARC members.

But after External Vice President Chris Neal expressed interest
in an ARC position, Leyco stepped down, and the council approved
Neal as her replacement with a 9-0-3 vote.

“I know that I have experience with hiring people, but I
knew Chris would be more knowledgeable about the committees that an
ARC member works with,” Leyco said.

Neal said he wanted to make sure council members were aware of
his experience and qualifications for the job.

“I felt comfortable bringing up my interest in the
position, because I really think people didn’t know my
experience,” Neal said. “I think the council should
feel confident in my ability to serve on the committee.”

According to USAC bylaws, the IVP heads the ARC. Also, two
council members, appointed by the USAC president, sit on the
committee as well as the Finance Committee chair.

The 2002-03 ARC will be chaired by Internal Vice President T.J.
Cordero, who will serve with Neal, Harmetz and the Finance
Committee chair, who is to be determined.