By: Katie Head, Vanguard Staff Writer

Student Association kicked off the start of the new semester with a five-hour meeting Aug. 29.

The cause of the abnormally long meeting? Difficulty apportioning the $142,000 budget for the upcoming year.

To decide how to spend the budget, each committee stated its case for how much of the budget they wanted and for what reasons.

“I was very proud of all the members of SA in the way things were handled,” said Ted Goodman, president. “When it comes to the budget every committee needs a certain amount of the pie and there’s only so much to go around.”

The breakdown of the budget allotment allowed for events and included: $6,000 to go toward the annual Battle of the Valleys, $5,000 for Relay for Life, $5,500 for student concerns, $8,000 for Legislation and EA and $6,000 for Public Information.

“Overall I think it was a very constructive, and positive debate,” Goodman said.

One of the biggest concerns for SA this year is halting the cuts made to higher education after Gov. Rick Snyder cut funding by 15 percent in his recently approved state budget.

Goodman said that SA is looking to collaborate with other student associations in the state.

“SA is excited towards the possibility of working with other college student associations,” he said.

SA still is in the process of planning campus activities.

Past events such as the Winter Carnival, Winter Formal and Haunted House are scheduled to be continued.

Game shows will also be on the agenda again.

Other than planning events for the entire student body SA is also providing scholarship opportunities.

There are 16 scholarships for Study Abroad consisting of $600 each, two Community Enrichment scholarships consisting of $1,000 each, and two legislative scholarships consisting of $500 each.

SA is accepting applications for representatives. Students interested in learning more about the position should stop by the Association offices in Doan.

“Also we want to make sure that the interests of students are hear by the administration as always so feel free to stop in,” Goodman said.