Cross said the increase in this year's budget could be attributed to several factors, including funding for new committees and equipment expenditures. He added the new equipment should last for the next 10 to 12 years, and next year he expects the budget to decrease to last year's level. Another reason Cross gave for the increased budget was a larger number of requests from Contracted Independent Organizations for expenses incurred from programming and speakers' fees. Five new committees were budgeted this year under the Council's presidential cabinet, bringing the total number to 18-another factor adding to the increased budget. Safety Concerns, Parking and Transportation, Sexual Assault Affairs, Graduate and Professional Students Affairs and Transfer and Non-Traditional Students Affairs all were added to this year's budget.
Council receives funds from the program when a percentage of the student body signs up for the card.
The amount awarded to Council increases as the number of students who enroll in the program grows. The discount program now involves about 90 local businesses. Council President Howard A. Foard III lauded the work Cross put into the budget and the Executive Committee's fundraising efforts. He also noted the increased productivity of the presidential cabinet committees. Cross said he will present the budget to the Student Activities Committee Friday.