The SMCSU budget Cam Anderson | News Editor $162,076.12. That is how much money the St. Mike’s student Union, SMCSU, has been allocated this year to spend on St. Mike’s students. Where does that money go? Who gets it? How much of it goes where? Here is a basic breakdown of those questions. If you want to look at the exact details of the SMCSU winter budget, you are encouraged to go to www. smcsu.com and find out for yourself. The budget, released publicly this week, provides exact dollar figures on all funds used by SMCSU. The first section of the budget deals with payroll—those on SMCSU being paid for their work. People paid by SMCSU include their chief returning officer, the scribe (paid to keep
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meeting minutes), and the speaker. Of the large SMCSU budget, payroll is only $2,202, or 1.3% of the entire budget. It is noteworthy to mention most members of SMCSU are not paid for their work. There are also expenses running the organization outside directly paying some members. To keep the gears turning, SMCSU has budgeted $15,350.80 for administration. They say they need to pay for: phones, mail, office supplies, domain registration, insurance, photocopies, event promotions, xerox payments, and “professional development.” Athletics, which covers things like intramurals, tournaments, and the athletics banquet costs $9,582. Communications, which involves clothing and video equipment,
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is $6,755.79. Double blue, with the flagship formal ($38,424.53), costs in total $51,625.53. Commuter life is just under $8000, and pays for events like St. Patrick’s Day in Brennan and movie nights. Education and government is $6,800. Religious and community affairs, one of the smallest commissions, costs $4,831. SMCSU also distributes funds to recognized clubs. Some notable clubs that receive funds are UTICA ($2000), The Celtic Society ($1,400) and U of T Quidditch ($250). In total distribution of funds to various clubs is $25,875. Arts is one of the most visible yet expensive commissions on SMCSU. This year’s musical is budgeted for $27,805. The artistic expression of Kelly’s Korner is essentially expense less, but the art show Nuit Bleu is $1,660. In total, arts costs
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SMCSU $30,878. When you crunch all the numbers you end up with a budget of $162,076. This is $28,150 larger than last years winter budget. However, the budget does not reveal income from ticket sales to things like the double blue formal and event nights. The exact numbers and balances will not be clear until the end of the school year. One way or another this is a large amount of student money and it is important that students know exactly where it is going. Students should be aware not only of the amount of money that they are spending, but also aware of how much it takes to run all of the events provided to them on campus. Each student can then decide what is ultimately worthwhile.
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