Last week, the Student Services Finance Committee finalized the internal budget of the Associated Students of Madison for the 2006-07 academic year. And, in a rare move, the committee did something right.

SSFC zero-funded the salaries for ASM's diversity liaison positions. Though ASM's final budget came to $733,850, SSFC was able to trim $22,800 of pork with the salaries' elimination.

These positions, which include individual liaisons for women of color, LGBT students of color, LGBT students and students with disabilities, among other positions, do little more than provide a handful of students with a job that requires little effort or accountability. The holders of these positions were paid hourly salaries for cushy jobs while the students on this campus were forced to pay the salaries of these individuals through hefty segregated fees.

Opposition toward these positions has come from many outside this board. SSFC Vice Chair Eric Saar summarized the criticism of some members of SSFC and ASM regarding these positions to the Badger Herald: "The [diversity liaison] positions have been severely neglected and a waste of money in the past. Students completely do not do their jobs and get paid for it."

This board also applauds the proposal put forth during ASM's budget hearing by SSFC representative David Lapidus, who proposed that the $36,500 allotted for salaries of ASM leadership positions be zero-funded. Student leadership positions should be seen as educational opportunities and be unpaid. Unfortunately, SSFC did not heed the advice of Mr. Lapidus.

The recent cut of funding for ASM's diversity liaison positions, however, is a step in the right direction for SSFC. We hope such a move is but the first step down the path toward fiscal responsibility.