If student government is the training ground for real-life bureaucracy, then the Associated Students is taking heed of its mentor.

Three months into the 1996-97 fiscal year, ASUA still does not have an official budget, but organizing efforts for their programs continue.

Delays in producing an official budget are due to the separation negotiations between the Graduate and Professional Student Council and ASUA.

"ASUA did have their stuff together at the beginning of the fiscal year, but the split with the graduate council has put us behind," said Undergraduate Senate President Gilbert Davidson.

The governing bodies are awaiting the approval of a separation proposal, which is expected Sept. 17, said Mindy McCollum, ASUA vice president of programs and services.

The two governing bodies felt the separation was necessary in order to better serve their constituents.

The separation cannot be finalized until ASUA President Rhonda Wilson and GPSC President Alexandre Sugiyama sign the document.

But, Davidson said, not having a budget does not affect ASUA's efforts, it affects their abilities.

"ASUA representatives are ready to go and are working on prospective programs," Davidson said.

Tim Walker, director of the ASUA Escort Service, said he is frustrated with the budget situation.

"Last year at this time, I was fully operational, but I can't do anything without a budget," he said.

The Escort Service has been granted a temporary budget of approximately $12,000, which should last about three weeks, Walker said.

Until then, the Escort Service will be operational at a 60 percent capacity. The temporary funds are not being used for the walking program, in which escorts will accompany students to their vehicles.

In addition to the walking program, the Escort Service Safe Ride program provides free transportation within a certain radius to the homes of students, staff and faculty.

"The Escort Service affects a lot of students, so it was important to award that service money to operate with," Davidson said. "We are doing the best we can."

Without a budget, the Escort Service is unable to promote its services, Walker said.

McCollum said programs and services "are not operating to the full extent we would like to, but we have enough money in the summer budget to get by for the next couple of weeks."

With the budget pending, ASUA moved forward with their planning when student government officials gathered for a weekend retreat at the Chiracahua National Monument.

Davidson said he organized the retreat to allow individuals within specific programs an opportunity to hammer out their plans and goals for the year as well as for ASUA to become unified as an organization.

The retreat was paid for out of ASUA's general operating fund that extended from the summer budget, Davidson said.

Although Davidson said he did not know how much was spent on the retreat, he said ASUA lowered the cost by cleaning up after their meals and sweeping and mopping the retreat hall and bunks.

At the retreat, officials discussed communicating with the student body by posting a calendar on ASUA's Web page, publishing an ASUA newsletter if funding is feasible, and having representatives speak at student clubs and organizations meetings.

The retreat was also designed to give the more than 50 individuals working in ASUA an opportunity to get to know one another.

"The retreat was a good idea," Walker said. "I think it will really make ASUA a more friendly place, which helps us with our productivity."

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