FILE PHOTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Student government President-elect J. P. Benedict will receive $24,450 to divide into stipends for members of his cabinet.

Elected officers settle on allocation of funds to cabinet members

The newly elected ASUA officers are already hard at work setting stipends, and they haven't even been inaugurated yet.

The first orders of business included establishing new Associated Students of the University of Arizona elected positions, and then setting stipends for the 28 cabinet positions, while trying to learn as much as possible about their jobs.

But with the creation of two new positions, some other offices had to have their stipends decreased.

Student government President-elect J.P. Benedict will receive $24,450 in stipends for his cabinet, which is consistent with last year.

Benedict created a technology director position to add to his cabinet. The director will enhance the technology utilities and assist ASUA with signs and posters.

"The technology director will help update the Web site and some of our other Web- and Internet-based utilities to make it more user friendly," Benedict said. "The goal is to make ASUA more accessible to students."

The technology director will receive a stipend of $600.

The new spirit director became a priority after ASUA Senator Peter Wand and the athletics department collaborated last year to create the Zona Zoo with the hopes of increasing school spirit at basketball games.

"We've seen a lot of interest in the (spirit director) position, and we're working with the athletics department to set it up in a few weeks," Benedict said.

The spirit director will receive an $800 stipend.

Student government Executive Vice President-elect Melanie Rainer will receive $14,600 in stipends, up $300 from last year.

She recently transformed the ASUA position of philanthropy task force director into club development director. The director will assist clubs in search of funding, whether for philanthropic activities or other endeavors.

The club development director will receive a $1,000 stipend, and could earn up to an additional $500, depending on his or her success with the position

Rainer plans to work this summer on the club discount card, which was part of her platform. By establishing relationships with businesses and companies in the area, Rainer hopes to implement a card that club presidents could use to get discounts through local vendors.

Student government Senator and Administrative Vice President-elect Victoria Ruan debated over the amounts each officer should receive, while still staying within the ASUA budget.

The total amount passed by the senate for stipends for Ruan's programs and services was $31,150.

The Women's Resource Center director, who currently receives $800 per year, will receive a stipend of $1,000 next year.

"Women's Resources puts on so many programs, it's unreal," said ASUA Senator Adam Bronnenkant. "Given the amount of work and all they do for campus, it's not a good idea to give a lower stipend."

The two Women's Resource Center assistants will receive stipends of $400 each rather than the $600 they currently receive.

The student health advisory council director will receive a $1,000 stipend, a $200 raise from last year.

"(SHAC) helps the whole campus, rather than just a portion of the campus," ASUA Senator Will Harris said.

In the meantime, the elected officers are working with the current executive officers to learn the specifics of their jobs.

Benedict is spending time with ASUA President Doug Hartz and meeting administrators with whom he will be working during his term.

"I've sat down on numerous occasions and (Hartz) has given me advice," Benedict said. "He is doing a great job with me."

"We'll be very prepared," Benedict said.