Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Cody Kitaura A breakdown of ASI's pay increases. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Photo courtesy/ASI Christina Romero [Click to enlarge]

Associated Students Inc. has implemented two major changes as 14 of its student board members voted to not only change the way ASI executives are compensated but the amount, as well.

Last year ASI executives paid themselves through stipends.

In May, however, they voted to give themselves awards via scholarships. This adjustment was made due to a discrepancy in how the board operated.

ASI Executive Director Pat Worley said the board was no longer in compliance with certain laws.

"We realistically found we were not meeting all the requirements of exempt employee status for our board of directors...we needed to stop and recognize that in reality, we didn't have them classified correctly," Worley said, " We weren't managing that in line with current state and federal regulations."

Worley assists ASI with managing student life and service programs, as well as advising them on a multitude of issues. She does not, however, have the power to vote on legislation.

ASI non-board members are paid hourly, however board members do not fit the criteria of an hourly employee.

"When we look at the types of behavior behind an hourly wage employee, you have a direct supervisor... they punch in, they punch out," Worley said. "When you look at characteristics of an hourly wage employee…that is not what the board of directors does."

ASI President Christina Romero said a pay increase was needed, as ASI employees haven't received an increase in years.

"With the cost of living and university fees going up and most directors not having an outside job… there was a need," she said.

Romero, who previously served as the director of Letters and Arts, abstained from last years vote because of her affiliation with the current board.

Sacramento State students like junior English major Simone Jackson, have questioned whether or not ASI should be able to determine its own pay rate.

"I don't have a say where this money goes and I don't have a say in how much is taken out of my fees," Jackson said, " It's a little disturbing for them to vote themselves into a raise."

Although Jackson doesn't agree with everything ASI does she said she appreciates the time and effort put into student interest and rights.

While some students like Jackson are opposed to the raises others have no interest in the matter.

"From my point of view, I don't really have strong feelings either way," said junior English major Rose Connally.

The amount of money each board member makes is dependent on their cost of attendance or an estimation of how much they pay to attend Sac State. Cost of attendance is calculated by the school's financial office. This year's estimation was $18,990.

Each member will receive the following percentage of the estimate: 75 percent for the president, 63 percent for the executive vice president and the vice president of finance, 56 percent for the vice president of University Affairs and Academic Affairs and 28 percent for all directors.

Scholarships will be awarded per semester and allocated incrementally each month.

Since the money is considered financial aid, some members who already have financial aid may experience problems, said Craig Yamamoto, director of Financial Aid.

"We may have to adjust their financial aid," Yamamoto said.

Romero said the shift in payment has and will continue to affect her.

"The bottom line is that I'm going to be struggling," she said. "For me...the monthly amount for the first semester is going to be close or near the same (as what it would have been)."

Romero said most other members will benefit from the increase.

Jackson questioned where the extra money came from.

Worley said the money is coming from where it always has, ASI's budget.

"It just means that when our outgoing board put our budget together, they utilized their financial resources in a slightly different manner," she said.

To date, ASI's board of directors have received a total of $19,404 in scholarship funds.

Romero said she has an open-door policy for all those who are curious about the increase.

"I would encourage students to inquire and come and ask any questions they have," she said. "There are so many details to it...seeing what we do and understanding our entire position. It's very difficult to hold a job outside of (ASI) and do your school work."

Senior history major Nicholas Moore, who has been a member of the Sacramento City College's student government for several years, said he has never received a stipend.

"In our constitution it says that stipends would be determined according to By-Law," he said. "But we never activated them, because we felt it would be seen as a conflict of interest."

Andres Perez can be reached at aperez@statehornet.com.

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