For many student groups at Binghamton University, the red tape of Student Association finances is more of an inconvenience than anything else. But as the Harpur Harpeggios, Binghamton’s all-female a capella group, learned when they lost $2,500 at the beginning of the semester, it can become more than just an annoyance.
At the close of each semester student groups have to fill out certain forms to ensure that their funds can be rolled over to the next year. When the Harpeggios’ departing treasurer failed to fill out the proper paperwork that would enable the funds they had raised to be transferred over to the next year, they lost it all.
“We were very surprised to discover at the beginning of this semester that we had absolutely no money as was shown to us in an SA invoice,” said Erica Meyer, the Harpeggios’ tour manager and current treasurer. “I immediately went to see Rich Marmolejos, the financial vice president, to ask what I could do to get our money back.”
They were told that the $2,568 they had raised the previous year had been transferred to the Student Association’s “retained earnings” account, and that it was a possibility that some of the money could be returned, but not all of it. Once funds have been put into that account they cannot be returned to the group they once belonged to.
In cases where student groups fail to properly roll over their funds, they can appeal to the financial vice president who can, in turn, grant groups funds from the SA deficit account. In the Harpeggio’s case, they were sent to plead their case to the SA’s Financial Council.
“In cases where the FVP isn’t sure how to decide and wants another opinion, he sends them to us,” said Financial Council vice-chair Chris Powell. “The council votes based on the facts of the case.”
After hearing the Harpeggio’s situation the Financial Council voted. Based on their recommendation, Marmolejos granted them $500 from the deficit account.
After attending an SA assembly meeting and being encouraged to ask other organizations and communities for additional funding, they were eventually able to receive $50 from the College-in-the-Woods community and $800 from the Off Campus College Council.
Still, with more than $1,000 lost in the process, the Harpeggios remain angered over the series of events.
“The money we raised last year took a lot of time and energy to make. They did not just take away the budget awarded to us, they took away our hard-earned money,” Meyer said.
Powell, however, points out that it is the responsibility of the groups to make sure that they have their paperwork turned in on time, and that all groups must be held to the same standard.
“The group made an error that is clearly explained on the treasurer exam,” said Powell. “It is the responsibility of group leaders to know the rules and regulations — especially when it comes to money. When they don’t, they face the consequences.”
Marmolejos also added that he believes it is not the responsibility of the FVP and the SA to replace money lost by groups when they do not return paper work on time.
“It isn’t my responsibility to fix treasurers’ mistakes,” Marmolejos said. “I’m here to work with them, not do things for them.”
The Harpeggios, however, feel as if they have been mistreated, and that their situation has not been taken seriously.
“While talking about what happened, many of the SA reps were whispering to each other and a few members of the executive board were snickering and rolling their eyes,” Meyer said. “We handed in a petition with around 475 signatures and thanked them for listening, and gracefully left the room. We were not treated the way we treated them.”