As part of an ongoing process to revise the system for allocation of funds to its clubs, Brandeis student union is conducting a self-review of the current structure that is set in the Union Charter. By the end of the review process, student leaders hope to create an amendment to modify the current system by which the Secured Allocations Funded (SAF) organizations and other clubs receive and spend their money.

This review is required by the current new Union Charter, which was ratified several years ago by the Union.

"In the implementation section of the Constitution, it was mandated that a constitutional financial review committee put together a report on union finances and proposals for improving efficiency. The reason for this was that with the new constitution, the framers did not alter, in any way, the union's financial structure," former Union Treasurer Phil Schreiber '02 said.

Schreiber has been "very involved" in the process. "I helped Ron learn about our financial system — broad overview and detailed critique, edited drafts of amendments, gave hours of input and critical review of our current process, went to meetings. (I was) one of the two point people, besides former Union President Josh Peck '02," Schreiber said.

Peck was unavailable for comment.

Most changes are not finalized and will not be presented to the student body until next year. However, when these changes do get presented to the student, it will require a two-thirds majority vote to change the Union Charter to change the current funding system.

"There is no 'current' proposed amendment, because it is in a constant state of revision," Schreiber said.

Attorney Ronald Goldstein '89 who owns and manages Paradise Agency, a property management/real estate development firm, was the independent reviewer in chosen to conduct the review.

He does not have any findings yet because he has yet to complete the review. However, he says that the goals of the review are to improve the financial accountability of SAF groups and clubs by implementing some consistent reporting and training requirements; to create a system of checks and balances to ensure that SAF money is efficiently and properly spent; and to encourage financial planning by SAF groups and clubs that have special capital needs.

"The main trends (of the review) are to increase accountability of clubs and SAF groups, improve the methods of reporting financial matters, provide a mandated training session for those who will handle organizational finances, and overall, to make sure that there are firm checks and balances in place for all union entities," Schreiber said.

Part of Goldstein's review process requires him to spend time on campus or on the phone meeting and talking with people ranging from staff of Student Life, elected student representatives, and leaders of SAF clubs.

"I intend to work on this through the summer and into the fall, when I will meet again with Union President Ben Brandzel ('03), Union Treasurer Sophy Yem ('04) and all others interested. We will draft some proposed amendments to the Constitution, and if the Union members wish, they will bring the proposal to referendum," Goldstein said.

One of Goldstein's goals is to make sure that after the review, clubs retain their current state of autonomy from the Brandeis Administration.

"I have a tremendous love for Brandeis and, I know from my own experience that a major part of what makes Brandeis so special is the independence of, and opportunities afforded to, its students. I am here to assist in creating an improved financial system that will ensure that this independence is never threatened or compromised," he said.

One of the early drafts of the amendment did omit the Watch, a student magazine, from the SAF groups. This year the Watch was unable to publish more than one issue due to internal problems. Natasha Ushomirsky '04 who spoke for the Watch is not going to be its editor in chief next year and does is not sure if anyone will be able to take over next year.

"Basically, everything is too much in the air right now for me to comment. The Watch hopes that the Brandeis Media Coalition (which is outlined in early drafts of the amendment and includes the Justice and WBRS, but not BTV at the moment) can receive secured funding next year in our place," she said.

"While at Brandeis, I was very active is student government and student life, I worked with Rick Sawyer and the entire Student Life office a great deal, and I kept in touch with Dean of Student Life Rick through the years," Goldstein said.

"Last fall, Rick mentioned to me that Brandeis was looking for someone to do this review of the SAF. I told him I'd be happy to talk about it with him and members of Student Union — our first meeting was scheduled for September 11th. I was on campus that day, but, needless to say, we did not talk about the SAF. Rick and I talked over the winter, and I took the project on this past spring," Goldstein said.