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The Associated Students of Madison’s Student Services Finance Committee made several suggestions for the University Health Services auxiliary budget presented at their meeting Monday night.
Though SSFC does not have any direct influence on auxiliary budget decisions, the committee reserves the right to hear budget proposals and make recommendations on budget improvements.
SSFC recommended UHS better their public presentation to the committee in the future.
By doing so, members of SSFC voiced their hope for the creation of a more detailed list of all the services provided by UHS. They also recommended differentiating between what free services cost and labeling the cost of paid-for services.
“We know the general services — physical therapy, counseling. We want to see a more detailed list of what is provided and at what cost,” new SSFC Chair Carl Fergus said.
On the other hand, several SSFC members moved to commend UHS on being fiscally responsible during a year of economic crisis, noting UHS’ total expense increased by a margin of barely over 6 percent. The committee further commended UHS for defining where the increases had derived from and where they were directed.
Student representative Brandon Williams said although UHS did have a 6.4 percent budget increase, it was a reasonable increase due to inflation and this year’s economic hardships.
Williams suggested SSFC keep an eye on the percentage to account for changes in spending in the future.
Fergus said he agreed UHS has been handling their budget responsibly.
“I think the committee overall feels that UHS does a great job with the service they provide on campus,” Fergus said. “It’s the very small things [we have recommendations for]. We think overall they presented themselves very well — we just didn’t see a complete list of services.”
SSFC will meet Thursday to discuss recommendations for the 2009-10 auxiliary budgets presented by Recreational Sports and the Child Care Tuition Assistance Program.
Fergus added all auxiliary budget recommendations would then be compiled and presented to Chancellor Biddy Martin sometime after spring break.
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The information the SSFC is seeking is already available on the USH website here: http://www.uhs.wisc.edu/docs/chartuhsservices.pdf
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The above link is a perfect example of the arrogance of UHS. It is a one page .pdf document of services offered with no details, no GSSF funding specified, no explanation as to what each service costs and why we should be paying for it.
How many people, for instance, to ‘multicultural counseling?’ how many students use the service? Is it medically necessary or should it be part of the office of equity and diversity or Multicultural Student Union? How much do we pay in salary, benefits and other resources for this service?
For example!