Budget cuts marked the Annual General Meeting last Tuesday, as the Trinity Western University Student Association lost close to 10 per cent of its funding for the ’06-’07 school year.

As a result of dropping enrolment, TWUSA was left to deal with a substantial drop in student fees, which are its primary source of income.

The total budget of $262 500, which is $25 000 less than last year, may change depending on spring semester enrolment. This year TWUSA is relying on revenue from sources such as the CUBE in order to balance the budget, said Greg Norris, VP of Finance.

The administration budget, which receives the largest portion of the money, will feel the cuts the most, losing roughly $20 000 of its funding. This budget, which the administration’s proposal states “is used to support and maintain the core of Student Council,” covers stipends and general operating costs, along with special events and services.

In order to cut costs in this area, President Norman Van Eeden Petersman scaled back events such as council’s annual spring retreat and the “TWUSA Presents” chapel series.

Another cut removed Peer Tutoring. Van Eeden Petersman cited a “lack of interest” in the making of this decision, although VP of Student Relations Matt Jenkins alluded to its return as an online service in the future, being “more of a matching point for tutor and tutoree.”

Student Media also suffered in the wake of under-funding. In pre-AGM talks, Mars’ Hill lost $18 995 of its operating budget, while Pillar was cut by over $10 000.

“We had to [make] a lot of sacrifices,” said Pillar Editor-in-Chief Hillary Grams. Although there were reductions in the number of pages and in student stipends, she said that the overall excellence will not be affected. “We won’t be able to do as much as last year, and not as much as we wanted to this year, but it will still be really good quality,” said Grams.

In spite of the lack of funding, many annual events such as Hootenanny and the Can-Am hockey game will return as planned. Smaller events, like last year’s Saturday Morning Cartoons, will be nixed so more focus can be put on improving larger-scale productions.

“[We want] to present extraordinary events that leave a lasting impression on the community,” explained Danae Morgan, Executive Director of Events.

Not all areas felt the cuts as strongly. TWUSA’s communications budget was doubled to $5 490 in order to purchase a new iMac for its office. This computer will assist in creating a recognizable TWUSA “brand,” and will be used for creating posters and displays.
The Class Reps’ budget was also enlarged by over $2 000 to encompass the big dreams of council’s elected reps. Noteworthy is the introduction of “Taking Back the Lower Caf,” a program aimed at reclaiming the LC through $2 meals, special events, and a more aesthetic atmosphere, said Jenkins.

Another innovation is the proposed Dance Department, added in response to last January’s amendment to the Responsibilities of Membership. The budget proposal claims that “a freshman/sophomore dance, a junior dance, a homecoming dance, and more,” are already in the works.

Faced with the reality that there is simply less money to go around this year, the mood at the AGM was one of acceptance, with every proposal passing without amendment.