KEVIN MENZ
Associate News Editor

The University of Saskatchewan’s Student Union vice president of operations and finance Scott Hitchings sat down with the Sheaf recently to discuss what he accomplished over the summer, his optimism for future budgets and his disdain for vice president Leon Thompson in a unitard.

Entering his second year as VP operations and finance, Hitchings noted that this summer was a lot smoother than last summer in terms of preparation for the school year.

“Last summer I was lost like a chicken with my head cut off,” he said. “Once school started I was flooded with campus group ratifications and people trying to get insurance,” which left him less prepared for the budget than he would have liked.

“We’ve got all campus group and club ratifications posted online. Now, whenever a group fills out the application to ratify, I get an email.”

This will make it easier for student groups to apply and be confirmed as official groups or clubs under the USSU and allows Hitchings to worry predominantly about the budget when the time comes.

“I don’t really need to hammer down on the budget until January,” he said. “I am still in my ideas phase but putting more money towards executive projects is a big concern.”

He noted that “this year vice presidents are more active in having projects” and that if the student government wants to improve childcare and housing, and continue with government lobbying, more money needs to be put towards these numerous projects.

For example, at the upcoming childcare rally on Sept. 22 they are having a moon-bounce for the children to play in. Unfortunately, this addition will take up one third of that project’s budget.

“It would be nice if things like that are not as much of a concern,” he said.

In the last few years, the USSU has predicted deficits in their budgets because of the construction of Place Riel.

“Last year we predicted a deficit of $510,000, but our actual deficit was only $270,000. So we did much better than we predicted.”

“The reason why we have such a large deficit is because our facilities that usually rent out of Place Riel are shut down,” said Hitchings. “It’s not because suddenly Louis’ or Browsers are losing money. They are running the same as always.”

Nevertheless, Hitchings says he is pleasantly surprised at how well past budgets have turned out as compared to their negative predictions.

“Last year we predicted a deficit of $510,000, but our actual deficit was only $270,000. So we did much better than we predicted.”

To pay for the deficit, the USSU has a lot saved up from previous years. These funds, combined with the opening of Place Riel, make the predicted deficit of $415,000 for this year seem much less significant for Hitchings — although the budget is still his primary concern.

“Since Place Riel is opening up this year, we’ll be getting more revenue,” he said. “Next year’s budget, which will come out in March, will hopefully have a surplus and not a deficit.”

Aside from this summer’s preparation for the financial school year, Hitchings also implemented an initiative to decrease the amount of paper cups on campus.

“There is something like 8,000 paper cups [thrown away everyday] on campus — not including Royal University Hospital — and those spend a long time just sitting in a landfill,” he said. “Over the summer I was in contact with a number of different providers and so we will be getting compostable cups in Browsers this year.

“It will not affect your coffee drinking experience whatsoever. No, wait, actually, it will affect your coffee drinking experience 100 per cent — it will make it a lot more sustainable and a lot more fun,” he added with a thumbs up.

Finally, Hitchings noted that there is one policy he is desperately trying to implement this year.

“I want to ensure that our vice president of student affairs Leon Thompson cannot wear a unitard because that is just a disgusting sight. We’re trying to pass that policy and it will probably go into council sometime in the next month.”