Students can expect a few differences in the 2011-12 Associated Students Inc. operating budget due to an increase in usable revenue.
The 2011-12 Associated Students Inc. budget is balanced, and the Cal State Long Beach ASI will have an additional $500,000 to allocate, as it will only contribute $300,000 to the athletics scholarship fund.
The student government organization will also benefit from extra revenue due to increased fall enrollment.
“Due to President Alexander’s implementation of the [Student Excellence Fund], ASI will be relieved of its obligation to provide athletics with over $800,000 in scholarship money,” said Richard Haller, ASI executive director.
This increase in usable revenue will also result in three other benefits for CSULB students.
First, ASI will be able to restore funds to programs and projects that have been cut over the past two years, Haller said.
This includes restoring the Beach Pride coordinator position, which has been vacant since 2009, providing $5,000 in EOP book grants, and reinstating 3,600 hours of student employment.
Second, ASI will have money to fund two major projects that have been put on hold because of recent budget cuts.
The installation of an HD radio signal for broadcasting K-Beach and a recycling center improvement project will be funded by this increase in revenue.
Finally, additional funds will allow ASI to increase funding to student organizations by 29.32 percent.
“For the first time in history, ASI will be providing over half a million dollars to CSULB student clubs and organizations,” Haller said.
The budgeting process started in January and took around four months to prepare for a senate review, according to Haller.
But, ultimately, the USU board of trustees and the ASI board of control approve the final budget.
Because ASI has more money to allocate, there is an important difference between this year’s budget and last year’s, Haller said.
“For the first time in several years, we are able to be cautiously optimistic about the budget and make plans for the future,” he said.
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