When it comes to money matters, most students show some concern. They want to know how much of their money is going where and why. And they want to know who is accountable for the decisions made about how their money is being used.

At NIU, the Student Association is responsible for a large sum of the students’ money. Through its budgetary process, the SA decides which campus groups and organizations receive funding each academic year and how much those groups receive.

Such a task is an important assignment. Unfortunately, it seems some SA senators and finance committee members don’t understand this.

At its last meeting, the SA senate passed the budget requests of a few organizations without seriously discussing them. And those same requests earlier had passed the SA Finance Commitee.

And while not all SA senators and finance committee members are guilty of being apathetic to the budgetary process, none should have to be reminded of its importance. Anyone who doesn’t care to learn how to handle the process doesn’t belong working on the budget.

But now, because of the apathetic few, the SA faces a debt that could possibly reach $40,000 by the end of the academic year. This is alarming for a couple of reasons.

Students want and deserve to know their money is being handled responsibly. If the SA passes budget requests with little or no consideration, students rightfully can be angry with the SA.

And organizations that are told they will receive a specific amount of funding shouldn’t have to wonder whether that funding will be cut once it has been approved. Both instances reflect poorly on the SA, diminishing its credibility.

Perhaps some of the problem lies with inexperience in handling money on the part of the SA members. That is understandable. It also is undesirable and can be remedied.

NIU has one of the finest business schools in the country—the accounting department ranks 7th in the nation. It would be to the SA’s benefit to consult with business school faculty members to draw up an easily applicable budgetary process that might ensure against drastic mistakes.

There also is budgeting experience to be tapped in the political science/public administration department. A joint effort between the three groups could be the answer to future budgetary dilemmas.

And when dealing with student money, any such answers are welcome.