Proposed Budget for 2006-2007

Below you will find the MCSA budget request for the 2006-2007 academic year.
This budget has been approved by the MCSA Forum of Spring 2006.

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Form I: Purpose and Objectives

The Morris Campus Student Association (MCSA) exists to represent the interests of students on the Morris campus of the University of Minnesota. The central policy-making body of UMM the Campus Assembly consists of faculty staff and elected student representatives. These students, along with other elected or appointed student representatives, form the student government, the MCSA Forum. The Forum provides most of the recommendations for student membership on campus committees. It is the major source for expressing student opinion and initiating legislative action to promote and protect student interests. First-year students can become involved in the MCSA through the First-Year Committee. The mission of the MCSA is to serve the needs of UMM students as a representative voice for the student body within the University governance system. MCSA also seeks to provide and direct student input into various governing bodies of both the Morris campus as well as the central administration of the University of Minnesota.

Form I: Level of Participation

The Morris Campus Student Association is the representative governing body for the whole of the student body. In as much all students are considered members and from the student body are elected many voting representatives to various bodies. There are 19 Campus Assembly representatives 4 elected executive officers 4 hired all-university delegates, 10 organization representatives, 2 hired coordinators, and 2 all-university senators. In total there are over 30 active Forum members, with over 50 students participating in related committees and projects.

Form I: Very Specific Rationale for Activity Fee Funding

The Morris Campus Student Association serves as a very active link between the student body the community University administrators and faculty members. Providing support services and a voice for the student body comes with many operating expenses that MCSA could not function effectively without. While the majority of the budget in past years and for a large part of this year's budget has been allotted to student leadership stipends these stipends are seen as being very important to the leadership who put a very significant amount of time into their positions and unexpected responsiblities that come with them. Each of the MCSA officers spends an average of 7-15 hours per week, if not more, on MCSA and student representation business by chairing committees, contributing to Campus Assembly and committees, meeting with senior administration, holding open office hours, performing constitutional duties, executive committee and officer meetings, and executing the daily tasks needed to keep MCSA running and serving the needs of students.

Form I: Student Input in the Budget Process

The budget was presented to the MCSA Forum at two different meetings one designed to solicit comments and suggestions the other for final approval. The executive officers committees, and constituents have all been involved in and/or consulted in developing the operating parameters for this year and the budget for academic year 2006-2007.

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Form I: An Indication and Rationale of any Major Changes in Programming or Budget for the current year 2005 - 2006 as compared to the request presented to AFRC for this year

This year the MCSA spent a great deal of time reviewing its spending priorities its goals for projects and efforts, and looking at ways in which to cut spending so as to make it available to other student groups.

**Leadership Stipdends**
As is the case in most years, one elected officer did not qualify to recieve a full stipend. The remainder will be carried over.

**Student Legislative Coalition**
The system-wide assessment of a lobbying fee has been replaced by a single commitment to an individual lobbyist. This is primarily a book-keeping change.

**Co-sponsorships**
MCSA felt is was appropriate to co-sponsor two groups who requested assistance. This is something funded from excess funds and not budgeted for annually.

**Functions & Events**
This year's unexpected visit by the University President has given MCSA the opportunity to host him for a dinner that will give student leaders an opportunity to have a rare audience with the U's senior administrator. Also, a Community Open House will be organized to provide a spring reciprocation on the community picnic thrown by the city of Morris in the fall.

**Computer Supplies**
In an effort to be the first (and so far, only) student organization to fall in line with the new web templates and to be a better resource for students on the web, MCSA purchased the appropriate software at the lowest possible price.

**Travel Expenses**
This year the travel to the University Senate has occurred for every meeting. Although not budgeted for, this has become a vital part of our success as a student association.

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Form I: An indication and rationale of any major changes in the organization's program and budget anticipated for the upcoming year 2006 - 2007

This year the MCSA spent a great deal of time reviewing its spending priorities its goals for projects and efforts, and looking at ways in which to cut spending so as to make it available to other student groups.

**Leadership Stipends**
The stipends that MCSA officers receive every year are never all collected because of work-study considerations but we must always budget for complete payout. In addition, the stipends for the Representative to the Board of Regents and the Representative to the All-University Senate Consultative Committee have been raised to appropriately compensate for the increased demands enumerated in an expanded position description for next year's personnel following incredible success with above-the-call service by this year's representatives.

**Student Legislative Coalition**
The SLC is the primary lobbying arm of the student body across all campuses. At UMM we have committed to contributing a small portion of the cost of hiring a professional lobbyist to work on the students behalf. This was previously paid through a single fee assessed to each campus, but increased flexibility in organization has allowed for most effective lobbying.

**General Operating Expenses**
As the voice of the student body in good times and times of hardship, we feel it is unfortunate but necessary for us to reserve a small pool of funds to be used in the event of a campus tragedy or loss. These would be used for memorial flowers, cards, or contribution to service expenses. Also, the Student Legal Services program that has been explored by MCSA will not be budgeted for due to lack of support for continuing the program, but some overflow funds may be used to supplement travel and lodging for a program in the future, as has been done in the past.

**Co-sponsorship**
The MCSA Forum has seen fit to dispense some extraneous funds to other campus programs that share many of our same goals. This is only done, however, when extra funds are available, and will not be budgeted for.

**Functions & Events**
It is extremely unlikely that President Bruininks will return to UMM next spring for his State of the U address, therefore the dinner will not require funding. The Community Open House, however, will hopefully become a yearly tradition.

**Committee Initiatives & Activities**
In order to better serve all students, not just those on campus, MCSA feels it is appropriate to begin a recurring Off-Campus Housing Fair. Committees will also have the ability to publicize for the organization through a small amount of funds for Maroon & Gold Days.

**Travel Expenses**
In order to maximize the effectiveness of our all-university representatives, they are expected to be present in the Twin Cities for the meetings of the Student and All-University Senates. These average 5 meetings per year.

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Form V: Budget History (Income & Expenses), Current Year Activity, and Budget Request Summary

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Form IV: Detailed Request for Funding

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