School of Management Student Government officers disputed accusations of money mismanagement on Wednesday, after deciding last week that they would cancel their annual gala due to a lack of funding. Instead of faulting themselves, they said the poor economy was to blame.
SMG Student Government discussed their finances Wednesday afternoon at a General Assembly meeting, planning for upcoming activities on a smaller budget.
‘It’s definitely not mismanagement,’ SMG Student Government President Matt Reville, a senior, said. ‘We are just putting more emphasis on other traditions SMG has.’
The university-wide budget freeze has left SMG Student Government strapped for funds to support the many activities they plan each year, SMG Undergraduate Program Office Assistant Director Elizabeth Katz said. In the past, the formal dance gala was held in the spring. Venues have included the Metcalf Ballroom in SMG, local hotels and harbor cruises.
Katz said the spring formal had to be cancelled due to budget cuts from the Student Activities Office.
‘We found out about it at the end of the fall semester,’ Katz said.
SMG Class of 2009 President V.B. Suresca said the budget for the annual gala was typically more than $5,000, so officers knew they would have to compromise on something this year. There will be plenty of other traditional SMG events not affected by the budget, he said.
SMG Class of 2010 Representative Yasamin Sadrian said the BU budget freeze has affected the plans of most of the student governments of BU’s other schools..
‘We still want to have a harbor cruise, but students will at least have to pay for their individual tickets,’ Sadrian said.
The group has many alternative activities planned that will not delve too deeply into the budget, officers said. These include community service projects and the ‘Free Food Thing,’ a carnival-style festival with food and games.
However, some people said they are concerned that the cancellation stemmed from financial mismanagement.
College of Communication freshman Yeonju Woo said it is ironic that such a seemingly wealthy school lacks funds to host its annual gala.
‘I would hope the School of Management would be able to manage a simple party,’ Woo said.
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