SGA Explains Semester Spending

Staff members from The Voice met with Student Government Association (SGA) leaders Monday, November 20th, during the monthly "Word on the Yard" meeting to discuss allegations that SGA may have misused student funds during the fall semester.
Concerns were brought forth concerning the organization's budget following the release of the SGA Treasurer's report in early November. SGA was allotted $71,500 for the 2006-2007 academic year. The November 15th report showed that SGA had spent $48,609.89 for the semester.
A large portion of that amount is due to $15,500 being withheld from the budget for staff compensations for 7 executive board members, and $10,000 spent to pay for speakers at the Stand and Deliver Conference on November 3rd and 4th.

These amounts add up to $25,5000 of the amount spent this semester.

The purported discrepancy is in reference to the $23,109 that was used by SGA on other items, events, and services.

SGA reports that it has spent $1,825 on t-shirts from the company Jeb Designs, $885.00 on SGA paraphernalia (SGA license plate frames, I love FSU keychains, and SGA cups), $1,343.79 on office supplies and decorations, $600 to Jeb Designs for homecoming t-shirts, $1,000 on copier expenses, and an open purchase order for $1,000 to the print shop.

Other major expenses for the organization included $3,500 for speaker Fox Rich and $3,300 for speaker Rasheed Ali Cromwell, who were both part of the SGA speaker series.


Students expressed concern over whether the funds really benefited Fayetteville State students.

The Voice staff asked SGA representatives about the justifications for the expenditures.
The $1,825 spent on t-shirts was part of operation Smooth Move. "We always give the freshmen . welcoming gifts, and that was part of that," said SGA Senator and program moderator Lisa Harris. "Homecoming T-shirts are basically to initiate school pride, so that students do have things to wear to the games," she added.

SGA Vice President Jerrell Nelson also feels that freshmen welcoming gifts and homecoming t-shirts were a valid expenditure for SGA. "Part of the Student Government Association's job is to preserve relevant traditions here at Fayetteville State University," says Nelson. "One of those relevant traditions is the encouragement or promotion of Bronco pride."

Questions were also asked about the approval process for funds spent by SGA. The majority of the semester's spending was done outside of regular senate meetings and without an official Senate vote.

However, the SGA constitution gives power to the Executive Board (a board composed of key SGA leaders) when the Senate is not in session. The Executive Board can make decisions regarding SGA events, activities, and spending on behalf of the Senate during those times, but is required to give a full report of any decisions or vote to the Senate at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

The Executive Board was required to make all decisions for the Senate until the fourth meeting of the semester, when the SGA budget was approved.

The next SGA meeting will be held on December 6th. Any questions can be directed to the Student Government office at 910-672-1344.