The S&A committee allocates money for different programs at Pierce

Jacquelyn Edwards
Staff Writer

S&A, or Services and Activities, is a fee that is based on how many credits a student is taking for each quarter.

This fee is funneled into various programs at Pierce such as the Tutoring Center, The Pioneer, and Athletics.

Programs wanting S&A funding make a proposal for the committee on their specific need for new funding or more funding.

The committee, made up of five students and one or two faculty members, reviews these proposals and funding is then awarded appropriately.

“This committee is not up to one person but rather a majority rule,” Student Government President Nicole Ortega said.

“Since students pay for this, the committee makes the ultimate decision on whether or not it benefits the students as a whole,” Ortega added.

Students want to know that the money they are putting into the college is beneficial to them, rather than being used for things the student body has no say in or cannot participate in.

The Board of Trustees must approve all S&A decisions before the budget takes affect.

After a preliminary budget has been made, an open hearing is held to give students the opportunity to ask questions about
the reasoning behind the budget.

They can also make suggestions to the committee about certain program budgets.

Budgets can change from year to year as the committee changes.

“Typically the committee will go through the proposals that are submitted by the program managers and then go through
the costs,” Cameron Cox, director of student programs, said.

“The committee is free to bring people in for more questions about the program if for some reason something is not explained fully,” Cox added.

Bringing the people in ensures that the committee is getting all the facts before giving away the money.

Programs are required to give presentations as well as submitting their proposals.

This allows the program managers to explain more in depth why they are in need for funding.

Cox believes that the benefit of having a committee is having primary votes.

It is a student fee and it is the student voice that says how to spend the money.

The Committee gives the students a chance to help put the money where they believe it should go.

But the committee is not the last deciding voice.

The Board of Trustees make the final call on how all budgets will be.

The board can send a proposal back if they believe that something should not get the funding recommended.

Cox explains that he has not seen that happen the entire time he has been at Pierce College.

Students wishing to participate in the S&A committee are always welcome to stop by the Student Government office in order to get started.

But Cox warns that it is time consuming just like many other responsibilities in the school.

The S&A committee is a fundamental part of the school.

It makes sure that student funds are going to the proper places to ensure that student money is being spent wisely.