The administration is considering what to do with an excess of $20,000 that usually goes toward funding the Union's budget analyst, a position that was vacant until this semester.Steve Costa, who now holds the post, is paid for by a $7 charge on each undergraduate tuition bill. There is a separate charge line for the Student Activities Fee.

Union Treasurer Nick Freeman '07 said he recently met with Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Jean Eddy to discuss how to best use the money. Freeman said he suggested that Eddy add the money to next year's total SAF amount.

"I felt it would be the most fair thing to do," Freeman said, noting that he realizes there are other considerations.

Freeman said that Eddy mentioned that the market has changed, and that some of the money should go toward funding a salary increase for Costa.

"I have a fiducial responsibility, as does the University, to make sure money that is collected from tuition and fees are allocated and spent appropriately," Eddy told the Justice.

Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer declined to comment on the allocation of the extra money.

Student Union President Jenny Feinberg '07 said senate officials discussed the excess funding with Eddy at a meeting in October.

She said the Union is still unsure of who controls the money allocated for Costa's salary.

"It's unclear whether the University is hiring Steve Costa or we are," Feinberg said. "We do know that we're paying him" through the SAF.

She said she thinks the money should go to the Capital Expenditures Fund, the pool of SAF money from which secured organizations would draw financial support if an SAF amendment passes next week.

This would help ensure that these groups have "an automatic assurance" that they will receive assistance in case of emergencies or other expenses exceeding their baseline operating budgets.