The student government presented its budget to the Apportionment Board Thursday and is asking for an $11,061 increase over last year. The total would end up costing $60,666.

“This is exactly how much money we need to operate the board,” Student Body President Michelle Murphy said.

Murphy said the increase only comes from an increase in Eastern tuition and the Conference on Student Government Associations.

“If you take out the tuition increase and COSGA, we are not asking for an increase,” Murphy said.

She said the six executive board members receive tuition waivers, as is stated in the student government constitution, and cannot be changed.

Last year, the student government asked for $30,000 for scholarships and awards, and this year, the total for scholarships and awards is $36,576. This is more than 60 percent of the student government’s budget.

The student government is also asking for $2,945 for COSGA, which three student government members and one adviser attends. The money goes for airfare, per diem, lodging and mileage/parking. Another $1,000 is needed to cover students’ registrations for COSGA.

Murphy said the student government gets a lot of its ideas from COSGA, including elections and programs including First Night.

“We really do learn a lot from going,” Murphy said.

Last year, the student government asked for a special allocation for COSGA, but this year it is going on its main budget.

“If we don’t get the money, we don’t go,” Murphy said.

Murphy said the student government is also asking for $600 more for a graphic design position that was added this year. It was decided that this position would be made permanent.

Although the student government is asking for more money this year than last, it has decreased its costs for some items.

The student government has decreased its printing costs by $525 because all elections have gone online. It has also decreased the cost for supplies for Panther Service Day and promotional items for First Night.

Zach Samples, a student government member, spoke for the budget.

“It is essential for us to have this increase to remain viable and a voice on campus,” he said.

Ken Baker, the director of the Student Recreation Center, also presented a budget.

Baker said they are asking for the same amount of money as last year, which totals $220,000. This money goes to support all aspects of the Recreation Center including $180,000 for student employment.

“It’s money going back to the students,” Baker said.

Baker said he wants to add two more elliptical machines to the center but is making up the cost by decreasing the amount they allotted for supplies. Last year, they asked for $5,000 for supplies but are only asking for $2,600 for supplies this year.

Baker also said this is a lot less money than other university spend for similar programs, because schools such as Western Illinois University and Illinois State University have more full-time staff members. Eastern employs four full-time staff members and six graduate assistants.

Ashley Hoogstraten, the student vice president for business affairs, told the members of the Apportionment Board that it is important to ask as many questions as possible to each presenter in order to make sure the money was going into the right place.

“Grill them hard because this is everyone on campus’s money,” Hoogstraten said.

Both presentations were tabled until March 24.

Courtney Bruner can be reached at 581-2812 or cbbruner@eiu.edu