The University of Maine Student Government (UMSG) convened on April 1 for its annual budget meeting, an essential part of preparing for the upcoming academic year. These meetings are held each spring to establish financial plans for the fall semester, ensuring that all aspects of student life, from club sports to campus events, receive appropriate funding.
UMSG President Keegan Tripp offered insight into the inner workings of the budgeting process. According to Tripp, the creation of the annual budget begins with the Vice President for Financial Affairs (VPFA) and the Executive Budget Committee (EBC). This team constructs a “bare bones” version of the budget, focusing on fixed and predictable expenses such as compensation, insurance and office supplies.
“Initially, a lot of the planning starts with them. They work with the items we can expect one hundred percent,” said Tripp.
After those basics are accounted for, the budgeting process expands to include other campus organizations. Groups such as club sports and entertainment receive preliminary budgets through the EBC before these are reviewed and voted on by the full committee.
This year’s budget meeting had a notable difference from the previous one due to a proposed increase in the student activity fee (SAF), from $78 to $100 per student. However, the increase is not yet official.
“The Board of Trustees has to actually approve this SAF raise in May,” said Tripp. “So what we did was plan for a budget that looked like this past year’s to make sure we had a sustainable plan in case the new fee is shut down. We didn’t actually work with larger figures like you would expect, we planned for the worst but are hoping for the best.”
As for what students can expect in Fall 2025, Tripp noted that while the numbers are still projections, estimates are already being outlined.
“If we have the same enrollment as this past year, we will have $84 going to student government from each SAF, leaving UMSG with $1.2 million as a full starting budget,” Tripp said. “After compensation, we’ll have about $894,000 which would all be redistributable to student funds.”
Looking ahead, Tripp emphasized the importance of student involvement in shaping how resources are allocated.
“It is certainly an exciting time to be in student government, and a better time to start getting involved,” said Tripp. “Unique voices on the campus start by sitting around the table. Get involved and show up.”
