The Mirror sat down with the FUSA budget committee to discuss Fairfield’s new 2010-2011 fiscal year budget

The Mirror: What did you think of your time on the budget committee?

FUSA Budget Committee (Senior David Axelrod & junior Lauren Johnson) : My time as a student representative on the University Budget Committee was a great experience. Through it I learned a great deal about budget analysis, accounting, and fiscal decision making. As a student representative I also valued the opportunity to be an advocate for the student body. During my time on the committee I continually advocated for the University to prioritize financial aid, student-run programming and faculty retention.

Overall, my time on the University Budget Committee was an engaging and interesting experience.

TM: Many people have talked about how the students have had an increased role on this committee; do you think this is true?

FUSA: I completely agree that students have had an increased role on the University Budget Committee. FUSA Vice President Lauren Johnson and I were active members of the committee and attended each and every meeting since this past September. We were actively engaged in all conversations most notably regarding salary increases, tuition costs, possible layoffs, and university priorities.

TM: What do you think was the greatest accomplishment of this committee from the student perspective?

FUSA: Having attended every Budget Committee meeting, I can say first hand that the committee focused on making its decisions with all opportunities in mind. The Budget Committee used the University’s Strategic Plan throughout the process and consistently maintained increasing financial aid, keeping tuition increases low, and bettering student and academic life at Fairfield University as its priorities.

The specific accomplishments of the Budget Committee include keeping the tuition increases low in relation to competing institutions, increasing financial aid, and providing a small salary increase to University employees.

TM: How do you think the concerns of students were brought to this committee?

FUSA: The University Budget Committee focused on various issues throughout the past two semesters. Many of the committee’s conversations revolved around student concerns. Some of the conversations that particularly pertained to student concerns include financial aid, student-run programming, and supporting faculty members. Overall, I believe students’ concerns were adequately dealt with as the Budget Committee supported these items in their eventual budget. Lauren and I were vocal about these priorities throughout the budget building process and our opinions were taken seriously by members of the committee.

TM: What do you think will be the students’ reaction to the tuition increase?

FUSA: In order for the University Budget Committee to fulfill student needs such as financial aid and student-run programming, as well as meet the increases associated with costs of living and inflation, tuition needed to be increased by a small amount. It is important that the University communicates the reasons for these increases to the student body. Communication regarding any decision is important to answer student concerns and prevent confusion.

TM: Is there anything else you would like to add?

FUSA: As the University community learned today, Julie L. Dolan was appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer for Fairfield University. As a member of the University Budget Committee, I had the opportunity to participate in the search and interview process of candidates for the CFO position. After having interviewed and met Ms. Dolan I more than happy that she has been appointed as Fairfield University’s CFO. Ms. Dolan is a very outgoing and energetic individual. She will most definitely work well with and be engaged with the student community on campus. Overall, I could not be happier with the decision that has been made.

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