After a detailed and extensive audit and financial review, the Executive Board of the Student Union hired an outside budget analyst."The task of financial management of the entire Union is too daunting for the Student Union treasurer, who is a student," a Student Union-issued e-mail said last year, after the audit was completed.

"Three years ago it was discovered funds were not correctly distributed," Executive Assistant for Union Affairs Adam Herman '04 said. "Brian Walton and Jean Eddy, as advisors and a critical link between student union, recommended we hire someone."

Eddy, the Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment, her assistant Walton, and Student Union President Josh Brandfon '06 interviewed potential candidates. The three settled on Loretta Shagoury to be the new budget analyst.

Hired in July, Shagoury holds a degree in finance and is a former employee of Harvard University and the federal government.

When asked why she applied for this job, Shagoury said, "I wanted to come back to a university."

Shagoury's primary function is to assist the Student Union with its finances. She also helps Eddy and Walton with tasks in the Department of Students and Enrollment.

According to Walton, one of the main reasons Shagoury was hired was to help streamline checks and do account reconciliation for the different accounts of the Student Union.

"I love (the job) and I absolutely think things are going more smoothly," Shagoury said.

Brandfon, Shagoury, Student Union treasurer Andrei Khots '04 and other have all ready created a computerized database of Union budget policies.

"Loretta's job is just to make sure we're doing everything we're supposed to - not set policies," Herman said. "One stipulation the Student Union reached with Jean is that Loretta be an outside professional."

So far, executives of the Student Union have found Shagoury to be helpful.

"We needed to purchase computers and we went to her and she went to the departments and arranged for us to purchase the computers," Student Union Secretary Danny Silverman '05 said. "That was very helpful for me."

Herman noted that as a Brandeis employee, the university carries out Shagoury's employee review. However, according to an agreement with the administration, the Student Union can make recommendations about Shagoury's job performance.

The amount of Shagoury's salary is still unclear. Shagoury is currently compensated out of the admissions budget, but the Financial Amendment to the Union constitution regarding that may change.

The amendment did not pass last year, but it will be voted upon again as soon when it is finalized.

"Ten Senators have to sign off the amendment and then the vote cannot be for at least eight days, so it will be up for vote in two to four weeks," Silverman said in detailing the constitutional process.

According to Walton, the amendment will help define the Student Union's treasurer's roles and responsibilities. It should also help consolidate funding for groups in different ways for the fiscal report, Walton said.

If this amendment passes, the Student Activities Fee, currently set at $290 will be raised by $6 to cover Shagoury's salary

"We're hoping to keep the level of funding for clubs at a rate of $290 per year; with the six dollar increase, we'll have students contribute to cover the cost," Walton said.