University juggles budget:

Franklin Pierce University has implemented a tighter operating budget due to economic factors, but some students on campus are not happy with the way the University is using its money.

The University is urging members of the community to be careful with their spending. Kathleen Sinel, Vice President of Finance and Administration, said that the recession is currently a problem for the school. She said utility costs are going up, which leaves less money for spending in the budget.

The school has taken on $48 million in long-term debt. This is debt that the school planned for and intends to pay off over time. This debt is not related to the operating budget. The school is trying to keep tuition down and also give faculty and staff a raise with its current budget. Sinel wants people to know that balancing the budget is a slow and difficult ordeal. "It is not like there is any magical process," said Sinel.

Sinel also said that the number of available students is starting to decline, which hurts a school that is dependent on tuition for it's operating budget. Right now the student population is around 1700, which is the maximum number of students the school can accommodate. They are currently building the budget based on 1665 students. "We're just trying to be careful and use the dollars that you spend on tuition appropriately," said Sinel.

While the school is now more careful with their budget, she claimed that it is typical for the end of a school year. Although they are being more cautious, Sinel said that they have not stopped any events from happening due to lack of funding. They are currently working to establish a new process of budgeting that will make sure the money allotted is being used wisely.

Ken Ervin, Director of Residential Life, wants to make sure money is utilized for its intended purpose. He wants to "maximize the experience" with the money they have and organize programs and events in a "more economical way." He too wants to focus more on how the money is spent and make sure it is used efficiently. "You don't have to spend every penny," said Ervin.

The current budget process takes place at the beginning of each semester. Organizations on campus must complete their budget during this time in order to get funded. With the new budget proposal form, the organizations can budget anytime. This means that the budget process will be ongoing and groups can receive funds throughout the year.

Scott Ansevin-Allen, Assistant Dean of Student Involvement, believes this new system will make the budget process more efficient. He sees it as a way to better manage resources and "establish accountability for student dollars." Although he recognizes that it is a tough transition, he trusts this is the right move for the school. "The finance department is trying to understand how money is utilized," said Ansevin-Allen.

One group that is not happy with the school's spending is Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE). The group, which trains students to be the next business leaders, won a Regional Competition in Providence, RI last month and is planning to attend the Nationals. Yet due to lack of funding, only six of 32 members will be funded for the competition, which takes place in Chicago, IL.

Junior members Vanessa Leon and Kayleigh Geyer were very upset over this fact and the lack of funding their group receives. They believe their group makes a difference on campus and deserves the money. The group carried out the Light Bulb Exchange project, where they went to all the freshman dorms and switched out low wattage light bulbs with more environmentally friendly bulbs. Members also helped out the Green Team when they went to clean up Fenway Park. "We helped the school give back," said Geyer, "we helped the school save money, yet we haven't gotten money in return."

Geyer and Leon had assumed that they would be funded to go to Nationals. They believe since they pay so much for tuition, they should get funded the $600 it would cost for a trip to Chicago.

"Comparing to other schools [that] have SIFE, our school doesn't take it as serious," said Leon. "Other schools get funded from their school and they also get school credit for it."

SIFE Co-President Dan Shelley said, "It's disheartening. Knowing how much effort our SIFE team put in this year, and they can't get the big payoff in the end."

While sports bring in a lot of recognition for the school, Geyer and Leon believe that their organization should be recognized for its success. "We know that sports teams get funded more. I personally believe the SIFE team is just as important as sports teams," said Geyer