Speaker of the Undergraduate Senate Ben Murray and Class of 2008 Senator Charlie Biscotto submitted a letter to Student Government Comptroller Robert Donigian Friday requesting time sheets and financial records for members of the SG who were paid over the summer.
Although the SG bylaws do not mention time sheets, it is mandatory for paid members of the student government to submit documentation of the hours worked.
"Everybody in the cabinet and every executive was here over the summer doing what they needed to do, that is why we've had all of these events," Donigian said. "There are more efficient uses of time than being nitpicky about this."
Both Donigian and SG President Ashley Mushnick said they will answer the request from Biscotto and Murray, although they believe the Senate should spend more time addressing issues that matter to the student body.
"The Senate has difficulty reaching quorum - that's a fact," Mushnick said. "The Senate should worry more about the opinions of AU students on controversial issues like the smoking policy, not whether the executives have filled out every time sheet."
According to Mushnick, the Student Activities office approves dispersal of funds to SG members, while Donigian is responsible for keeping records of the time members worked.
Many members of the SG refused to comment on the letter. Donigian said time sheets were submitted. However, an unidentified SG member said members were asked Monday to back date and sign time sheets for the summer.
Out of the SG's $558,000 budget, over $80,000 is allocated for payroll, with more than half of that paid to SG executives and cabinet members over the summer, The Eagle previously reported. The bylaws require paid members of the SG to work a certain number of office hours each week and submit records to the comptroller.
Biscotto responded to the comments made by Donigian and Mushnick, saying the request was not unprecedented.
Biscotto also said summer stipends account for approximately $46,000, more than a full year's tuition or the student activity fee of over 600 students at AU.
"I should hope they would have an opinion that is both responsible and accountable to the student body," he said.
At the next Senate meeting Sunday, Mushnick will present a way in which she hopes to streamline the process of paid SG members to report their hours worked.
