By ABIGAIL SHEARER
Tiger Media Network
On Thursday, the Student Government Association hosted FHSU Controller/Interim Auditor Baron Green, to give a briefing on what he does at FHSU. As the controller or chief accounting officer, Green monitors all of the money that goes in and out of FHSU. He also helps create the Annual Financial Report, which is a comprehensive overview of FHSU finances.
Green is one-third of the main financial branch, there is the strategic financial director, the budget director, and the controller.
“I also work with the SGA allocation process, monitoring that pool of money and how it grows and moves throughout the year,” Green said.
As the interim auditor, his primary responsibility is to safeguard the integrity of FHSU entities, ensuring that they remain free from fraudulent activities and any potential conflicts of interest. His role involves thoroughly examining financial practices and governance, promoting transparency and accountability throughout the organization.
During the Open Forum, FHSU Athletic Director Curtis Hammeke spoke to senators about raising the FHSU Athletic student fee to $11.97 to help with maintaining athletic transportation.
“We buy our own buses, we hire our own drivers, we maintain all of our vehicles,” Hammeke said.
Hammeke then discussed the “trickle-down effect,” saying if the money did not go to one place, it would go somewhere else; however, he believes the university should be mindful of having high-quality programs, infrastructure, and transportation, even if that means increasing the tuition rate.
“Our plea is for more support from student fees, and we realize we’re trying to keep our cost down and affordable for our students. [I’m] totally on board with that, our tuition and our fees,” Hammeke said. “However, we have to be mindful of that at all times. We also have to be cognizant moving forward of quality.”
Any student fee increase over 99 cents goes to a student body vote.
Director of the Memorial Union Edie McCracken spoke about how student fees are the only way the Union gets funded. According to McCracken, the Union and Fischli-Wills combined take $150,000 per year for payment and upkeep. She said the Union would appreciate an increase in fees to help them not dip into their savings any more than they already have.
All resolutions for student fee changes were read for the first time on Thursday and will be voted on in two weeks.
Announcements
- Karaoke in Cody Commons will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday
- Student Engagement will host Valentine’s Day activities on Friday, Feb. 14. More information is on the corq app.