1986 Letter to Melanie Goldsmith from Dorothy G. Siegel

TOWSON STATE UNIVERSITY TOWSON, MARYLAND 21202 Vice President for Student Services (301) 321-2055 October 17, 1986 Ms. Melanie Goldsmith President Student Government Association Towson State University Towson, Maryland 21204 Dear Melanie, It is important that those things we have most recently discussed be clearly understoof. With a reliance on those basic tenants enumerated in the SGA manual, I believe that we can achieve responsible leadership and a true representation of the student community that is mindful of Towson State Univerity's structure and mission. All student government, especially that portion concerned with budget and disbursement, frunctions by leave of the President of the University. it is through his administration that revenue is generated and disbursed. This means, specifically, that regulations pertaining to contracts entered into by anyone in the SGA must be adhered to both in spirit and to the letter of the regulation. Page 34 of the current SGA Manual makes quite clear that any contract must be approved by the University. The spirit of this regulation, to be sure, obliges SGA to be responsible to its overall constituency. The University will not be able to release funds for events and expenditures that are not the outgrowth of demonstrated preferences of an informed electorate. We are supportive of the SGA's budgetary process when each contract for service or purchase has been individually approved according to the Senate procedures for such action. When this is done, the University will gladly co-sign and allow the use of those funds. Within the structure of the State University system we as University officials, you as SGA officials, have specific requirements to be met before any expenditure can be made. Such regulations are designed for our individual protection, for if a contract is entered into, without express consent of a designated University official, the individual signing the contract may be held personally responsible. Therefore, I repeat: contractual budgetary line items need approval by the University. This regulation may not be circumvented in any form, neither through the increase of your executive budget not through large disbursement to any student organization.