By Marcelle Richards
DAILY BRUIN SENIOR STAFF
[email protected]
The Graduate Students Association is rolling in a bigger budget
next year despite increased utility costs.
Because of a rise in membership fees from $7 to $10 next year,
GSA expects to have $300,000 in the bank ““ up 50 percent from
last year.
This puts GSA in a much better financial situation than the
Undergraduate Students Association Council, which could face cuts
of up to 55 percent.
The Associated Students of UCLA, which oversees the budget for
both student governments, took a swipe at USAC that could
“debilitate” programming, according to some USAC
members.
The cuts were made to compensate for an expected $500,000 to $1
million cost to ASUCLA to pay for unionized workers’ benefits
and higher wages.
ASUCLA revenue will also suffer from the dip in mandatory
student fees from $51 to $7.50 next year.
The financial disparity between the student governments occurs
because USAC has not raised its fees since the late 1980s, ASUCLA
Executive Director Patricia Eastman said earlier this week.
A referendum to implement a programming fee of $8.50 will appear
on an online ballot Wednesday and Thursday.
GSA, which passed a fee referendum in its spring election, will
see a greener side, with gains that more than compensate for the
$10,000 rise in maintenance and utility costs on the ASUCLA
budget.
“That was the only part that hit us,” said GSA
President Charles Harless.
The extra money will be used to boost programming, publications
and aid to student groups.
GSA’s income will also relieve the shortage of
discretionary funding from the university. By early to mid-spring
quarter, GSA usually runs out of the $15,000 UCLA gives it for
programming, according to Harless.
That won’t be a problem anymore, he said.
Next year, the council will be able to fully fund Grad Bar,
which is currently paid in part by the university.
A subsidy and increase in student interaction funding, which
supports programming, was originally expected, Harless said, but
ASUCLA turned both down due to financial limitations.
Harless acknowledged ASUCLA’s financial difficulties and
offered to help if necessary.
“Since GSA is part of ASUCLA, we realize we need to foot
some of the bill if needed,” he said, adding that most
graduate students understand unions can be beneficial and more
costly.