ASUNM passed two different budgets for the 2002-03 fiscal year Wednesday - but only one will be used.
Student groups will receive $310,311 or $417,882 next year, depending on whether bill 3B - which would increase student fees from $14 to $20 per semester - passes in the April 10 student election. Because they had to develop two potential budgets, Associated Students of UNM Vice President Steve Aguilar said the effort was monumental.
"Congrats to Sen. Bullard and her committee," he said. "This is probably the most important part of what we do."
Sen. Sarah Bullard, the Finance Committee chairwoman, said she couldn't count the hours the committee spent putting the budget together.
"We spent over 17 hours in deliberation alone," she said. "We have done everything possible to remain fair and fiscally responsible. The $20 budget puts most student groups at or very close to the amount that they requested."
The total funding request from student groups for the next fiscal year was $558,880.
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Bullard added that about $37,000 can be used for the fall budget and appropriations.
"Fortunately, the new budget gives ASUNM and the groups we serve an opportunity to grow," Bullard said.
Funds from the new budget will not be available until July 1, when the new fiscal year begins.
The Senate also approved four presidential appointments. Peter Chen and Loren Thomas were accepted as election commissioners and Celestina Torres was welcomed as presidential aide.
Athena Spencer's appointment was discussed considerably before she went before the Senate as court justice.
President Andrea Cook and current court justices John Probasco and Gil Morales spoke on her behalf before the vote on her appointment.
Probasco and Morales said the approval was vital so that the court could operate at its full capacity. Arguments senators raised against her appointment included her lack of experience. She had been denied as presidential appointment in February and re-applied as court justice.
"As much as experience is a good attribute, so is commitment," Morales said. "I think Athena will be an incredible asset and be advantageous to not only ASUNM but all of UNM."
Senators approved Spencer's nomination by a vote of 16-3.
"I want this position because I have a passion for law," Spencer said. "I understand the concerns over my experience but, as a political science major, with all my classes dealing with the field of law, I feel I am very well-versed."
Probasco was pleased with the vote.
"In two years the court hasn't been complete," he said. "We need people with dedication. With her appointment it gives us an odd number of justices, so now we can settle any type of matter in a vote."
During the same meeting, the Senate approved the inclusion of an opinion poll on the April 10 student election ballot that will give students the chance to recommend what types of food will be available in the renovated Student Union Building.
"Three are already set: pizza, pasta and New Mexican," Sen. Rosalyn Nguyen said. "Using this method we can see what everybody wants. It will give us a good reference point."
