Let me be among the first to welcome you back to Wagner College for another exciting and fulfilling year! It has been a very productive summer here at Wagner, and we are making sure that it will be a very productive upcoming year, as well.
When I first assumed the position of Vice President of Finance in late April, I was presented with a budget that had a surplus of nearly $20,000. Throughout the summer, Harry Jackson, president of SGA, and I made purchases from this surplus to increase both the professionalism and productivity of SGA. Some of these purchases included business cards for the SGA Executive Board and Senate, an LED Display board reading announcements of SGA meetings and news, and the traditional backpack gift to the First-Year Students. Also, in conjunction with the Dean of Campus Life Office, we prepared a student planner and handbook for all First-Year Students.
The reason for this excessive surplus was due in part to the lack of spending by clubs and organizations. When my predecessor, Kevin Richard, first forecasted the Spring 2008 budget, he anticipated a deficit. This projection, in turn, led the push to increase the Student Activity Fee by $25. In May, when we were presented with the remaining budget, we were extremely surprised of this surplus. It is for this reason that this year I am strongly encouraging clubs to spend their budgets. If you request and receive the amount, we want you to spend it.
So with all this being said, when clubs come to the budget meetings to request money, I ask that you please do not under or overprice any events; take a careful look at what you will need. Also, please read the budget guidelines to make sure what you are requesting money for is eligible. And finally, I ask that you spend your club’s budget, with it, you can help make a difference at Wagner for its next 125 years.
Here’s to another great year at Wagner College!
All the best,
Michael J. Pinto
Vice President of Finance
Student Government Association