UGBC Budget
The budget for the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) for this past school year, including a line-item budget, has been released to The Observer. Funded by mandatory student activity fees, the UGBC’s total budget this year totaled $538,000. Of that total, campus entertainment received the most money, $222,000, or 41.3% of the budget. $100,000 of that allotment was used to bring the fall and spring concerts to Boston College.
This amount was rivaled only by the $80,000 received by the ALC and $31,000 received by the GLC, both subsets of the UGBC, for a combined total of $111,000 or 20.6% of the budget. The complete budget is available on The Observer’s website.
This year the UGBC held a $17,000 layover from the previous year, something unusual according to UGBC Director of Fiscal Affairs Michael Coleman, CSOM ‘10.
“We usually spend as much as we get, and that extra goes to the Executive Fund, which the president and vice-president choose to spend at their discretion,” he said.
Last year the rollover helped fund Modstock, a celebration in the Mods including music and games. A decision on this year’s rollover has yet to be made, Coleman explained. “The money is spent at their discretion.”
When approached for a line-item budget, an extensive and comprehensive list detailing individual expenditures, the AHANA Leadership Council (ALC) and the GLBTQ Leadership Council (GLC) both refused requests from The Observer. “It will not be possible for you to receive budget information from the GLC,” said Kelsey Gasseling, ’11, GLC President.
Erika Hernandez, A&S ’11, ALC President, said that “after speaking with UGBC, GLC, and our advisors, we have been told and agreed not to do this [provide a line-item budget].” When asked, the identity of said advisers was not revealed by either the ALC or the GLC. Hernandez later clarified, “It was ultimately our decision not to.”
Dr. Patrick Rombalski, Dean of Student Affairs, when asked about transparency with regards to student groups on campus, said, “Division of Student Affairs is committed to working with all student organizations to achieve a level of financial transparency especially where student funds and fees are concerned.”
His office further confirmed that no formal Boston College, Office of the Dean for Student Development, or Student Affairs regulations prevent the UGBC, ALC, or GLC from releasing a line-item budget.
Assistant Dean Mark J. Miceli also confirmed the same for Student Programs Office policies. He said, “There is no current SPO policy that would prohibit the release of a line item budget from any student organization. In terms of the UGBC, their budget is approved by the senate and is therefore open to all BC students to see.”
In 1995-96, the entirety of the UGBC budget, including line-item expenditures for the ALC, the GLBT group at the time, and other UGBC affiliates, was released and published by The Observer. As its rationale for publication, The Observer said that since the budget reflects the students own money ($60 at the time), “You have a right to know where it goes.”
“Having more transparency would be a good thing, but it is double-edged sword,” said Coleman. “Posting on a website where the funds go would be good because most people don’t even know where the money goes. At the same time, in doing so, you are going get people don’t agree and get a lot of negative feedback.”
