Admins recommended freezing SG funds
Rosie Githinji
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News
Student funding was frozen for those applying for travel, program monies, etc., but neither the administration nor Student Government are saying they made the decision to do so.
During the university town hall meeting, held to answer questions from students and staff, Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift answered SIUE Senator Joel Durham's question, asking why student activity fees were frozen, by saying it was something voted on by Student Government.
"Student Government made the decision to freeze funds for [travel and programs]," Vandegrift said.
He also said spending was slowed down to help the university.
However, Student Body President Brandon Rahn said there was no vote on whether or not funds were going to be frozen.
"I was asked by Nobby and the administration to minimize spending and freeze our fee accounts," Rahn said. "I was told it was important to do this, the minimization of funding."
According to Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Narbeth Emmanuel there were no organizations told to freeze spending.
"We haven't told anyone to freeze [their funds]," Emmanuel said. "It is up to them to decide what to do and how to do it."
He added that only Student Government is able to spend the monies in their account, and the school can only borrow against it and use it for collateral.
Financial Officer Jeff Harrison said the university couldn't borrow against student funding as collateral.
"It wasn't my decision," Harrison said. "It's unclear right now if we're still required to cut those funds."
Durham said prior to the meeting he was told only essential spending was allowed.
"I was told to nearly freeze the money," Durham said. "I feel the chancellor blamed Student Government whenever it wasn't us who made the decision to freeze funds."
He said Student Government did not officially vote because they have not met since the chancellor made the announcement about funding on Nov. 9.
"I realize I should have asked that question to the chancellor. But I felt intimidated in the large room and being stared at by administration," Durham said. "If I had not said anything, students wouldn't know what was going on."
Durham said he does have another question for the chancellor.
"My question is what am I supposed to do when I know that Student Government didn't vote [to freeze funds], but [the chancellor] says it didn't come from the top even though it came from administration."
Vandegrift said that when he conferred with Poshard, the decision was made to slow or freeze funding expenditures to help with payroll.
"Apparently there are members of Student Government that thought the directive was directed toward them as well," Vandegrift said. "I can see why there was some confusion."
During the university town hall meeting, held to answer questions from students and staff, Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift answered SIUE Senator Joel Durham's question, asking why student activity fees were frozen, by saying it was something voted on by Student Government.
"Student Government made the decision to freeze funds for [travel and programs]," Vandegrift said.
He also said spending was slowed down to help the university.
However, Student Body President Brandon Rahn said there was no vote on whether or not funds were going to be frozen.
"I was asked by Nobby and the administration to minimize spending and freeze our fee accounts," Rahn said. "I was told it was important to do this, the minimization of funding."
According to Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Narbeth Emmanuel there were no organizations told to freeze spending.
"We haven't told anyone to freeze [their funds]," Emmanuel said. "It is up to them to decide what to do and how to do it."
He added that only Student Government is able to spend the monies in their account, and the school can only borrow against it and use it for collateral.
Financial Officer Jeff Harrison said the university couldn't borrow against student funding as collateral.
"It wasn't my decision," Harrison said. "It's unclear right now if we're still required to cut those funds."
Durham said prior to the meeting he was told only essential spending was allowed.
"I was told to nearly freeze the money," Durham said. "I feel the chancellor blamed Student Government whenever it wasn't us who made the decision to freeze funds."
He said Student Government did not officially vote because they have not met since the chancellor made the announcement about funding on Nov. 9.
"I realize I should have asked that question to the chancellor. But I felt intimidated in the large room and being stared at by administration," Durham said. "If I had not said anything, students wouldn't know what was going on."
Durham said he does have another question for the chancellor.
"My question is what am I supposed to do when I know that Student Government didn't vote [to freeze funds], but [the chancellor] says it didn't come from the top even though it came from administration."
Vandegrift said that when he conferred with Poshard, the decision was made to slow or freeze funding expenditures to help with payroll.
"Apparently there are members of Student Government that thought the directive was directed toward them as well," Vandegrift said. "I can see why there was some confusion."
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