Executive Fires back on Benchmark “Cuts”
In a memo circulated to the Student Senate (and just now hand delivered to the Commentator Office by President Axelrod), the Executive has gone on the record in its opposition to the recently approved 2.5% increase in the Programs Finance Committee benchmark. Having initially asked the Senate to approve a 5% increase, and been knocked down to a 2.5% increase, the Executive has decided to be entirely uncreative in their response to the much-needed fiscal responsibility movement by raising the tired spectre of “substantial cuts in services and student employment.” Thats right folks, not only do groups have nowhere to cut the fat, but also there are no surplus funds with which to maintain the most vital services.
The memo asks us, the mean-spirited, tightwad crypto-bigots to recognize that “many of the budgets… already reflect programs’ efforts to be as efficient as possible with their money. Departments and programs have shown a commitment to shift money away from administrative costs…” Yes, but surely buying 100 roller skating passes for the “Come OUT and Skate” party, or the free lunch for a “Community Dialogue to discuss how we can teach practical skills of self-love and caring relationships” are non-administrative costs which could be considered more “fat” than “muscle,” no?
But rather than accepting the Senate mandate for reasonable cost-cutting, the Executive would rather scare students into thinking that basic services that are open to all students will be cut. To bolster this perception, the memo contained an attached memo from Dennis Munroe, director of the Physical Activity And Recreation Services, explaining all of the horrible effects that this “cut” (one cannot emphasize enough that this is not a cut, but a reduction in the budget increase), would have on our beloved Rec Center. And Mr. Munroe gives the Executive just the ammunition it was looking for, by stating that the only real place to cut fat is in the student work force. Additionally, old equipment won’t be replaced, the Rock Wall could charge a participation fee, the towel service might be eliminated, among a litany of other tragic consequences. This tactic is a complete red herring. The Senate (as I see it) was not asking the PFC to cut programs which are available to everyone, widely used, and fundamental to the health and development of the student body at large. Rather, marginal groups, groups that have been funded without oversight year after year, groups with large off-campus revenue sources, groups with large travel and food budgets, and groups with overt political agendas are the places that the Senate was asking PFC to make cuts.
The Executive, however, seems to believe that such cuts could not be done in a viewpoint-neutral manner, and that even trying to make such cuts is “uneven” (read: unfair), because of the funding levels of the EMU and ADFC. “If the Senate decides that reductions in service level are necessary, we know that students would want them applied across the board,” reads the memo. Oh, is that so? Funny, because I’d assume that most students understand that there are some services which are inclusive, open and necessary (such as the Rec Center of the Exec’s scare tactic example) and should be fully funded, but that money also goes to groups which provide no real service, are wasteful, and noninclusive , and should be cut. It’s the difference between getting liposuction, or just hacking off a limb to lose weight.
At the end of the day, the whole brouhaha is a first class red herring. When you are sitting on an $800,000 surplus fund, the Cassandra and Chicken Little routine can only be seen as a cynical ploy. Here’s an idea for the entire ASUO: Increase this years budget as much as you fucking want. Fund free ice cream cones with helpful information about the Darfur genocide written in delicious chocolate on them. Fund a workshop on ethically-sound hair care for conjoined twins. I don’t give a damn. Just do me one favor: make sure that every penny over last years budget comes out of the Overrealized Fund. It’s known as balancing the budget. Give it a shot.
Yeah, I kind of feel like doing a blind item guessing game, considering I’ve figured out who the culprit is. I won’t though, because that’s just not my style.
I love technology … nice catch, Tyler.
So the guy posting as did the holocaust really happen shares an IP address with A Concerned Oregon Alum and hahahaha. Interesting.
Niedermeyer sounds like your ready to cut a deal. You drop your principled objections to wasteful spending and the budget surplas in exchange for a healthy increase in the OC’s budget. If you can’t beat ’em (and you can’t) join ’em and look out for your own self interest in the process. I’m sure the Senate would appreciate not having to pretend they share your noble aspirations.
OK… I am sorry that he’s dissapointed. BUT I am even more sorry that such tactics, such as requesting that large groups write memos regarding what a 2.5% increase would mean to them… PARS is not the only one I’ve seen. This is especially disturbing to me when Mr. Axelrod ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and quickly proposed to request that the Marching Band recieve funding from somewhere else. (a great idea, regardless of how poorly executed)… anyway that’s all I have for now…
Hey Niedermeyer, aren’t you supposed to be hanging dry wall or something right now?
Also, none of this is Jareds fault per se… He’s just not doing anything about it.
Oh, and thanks for making me question my commitment to free speech on this blog… asshole.
Oh man… I spend a few hours crying after looking through the Incidental Fee budget, and this is what happens while I’m away?
Yeesh.
I have no idea what’s going on here, but a solid argument is being made for a mandatory intelligence test to be added to the comment submission system.
Soooooo …. Todd Mann anyone? Possibly Dallas Brown?
Someone is drunk.
Hahahaha this is hilarious. Doesn’t anyone have a life? Axelfuck? Sheeple? Hahahaha…Mel Gibson?!
Please, Mel, we know Apocalypto comes out on the 8th, but I don’t think this is the proper venue for your media campaign.
[BLATANT ANTI-SEMITISM REDACTED]
A Note From The Management: As this thread has died down, and such ugly comments serve no one, this comment has been redacted. Trust me, you haven’t missed anything.
If Mr. Axelrod were to run again for president, I would strongly recommend to vote for an alternative to this sandbagger.
Blaser: You’ll just have to make do with a three day meth bender in the woods like us old timers did when we had to walk to Jogger’s uphill both ways in the snow.
Will these “budget cuts” mean that the all-expenses paid “Commentator Vegas Weekend Extravaganza” is scrapped? But how else are we going to do team building exercises and learn the OC mission statement?
Hey, everyone voted for Axelfuck. Should have put Todd Mann in there instead. But, nooooooo, Axelfuck gets to have his way with the sheeple student body of this campus.
I think it would be best if we spent the 800K on booze for everyone.
Excellent post, sir. Right on target.