Top Student Government officials at the University of North Florida are in office to provide students with a quality college experience by managing an annual budget of nearly $3 million. However, they receive more than a salary for their duties.
Watterson |
Jerry Watterson, student body president, is the highest-paid student official in SG with a set rate of $7.50 an hour for up to 40 hours a week. Luis Montiel, student body vice president, makes $7 an hour for up to 40 hours a week. Their tuition is also paid in full, as is Senate President Chas Jordan's.
In addition to tuition and salaries, SG officials receive other benefits, Watterson said.
"SG gets offered free tickets from Osprey Productions, VIP passes to concerts, priority registration and free tickets to certain events around campus," Watterson said. "[I] get an office and materials. The school funds my travel to mandatory state meetings, as well."
Montiel |
If he were to work every hour possible, Watterson would receive nearly $14,000 a year. He also receives a free designated first-level parking pass.
According to a 2001-2002 document from the Florida Student Association, UNF's student body president was the highest paid of any state university and received more benefits, such as tuition and fees, than any other student body president.
"These positions require a lot of time," said Dee Carter of the student affairs office. "They have to volunteer for that role in Student Government, so it makes sense that they receive benefits."
Other positions, such as senate president, receive $7 an hour for up to 30 hours a week. Senate pro tempore receives $6 an hour for up to 20 hours a week.
"Rarely do people clock all the hours in a year," Watterson said. "Sometimes, I end up going over my hours, though, and I tend to do a little volunteer work since there is no overtime."
After SG officials reach their maximum weekly hours, they are not paid for any additional time.
"The reality is that we are not paid enough for the hours we work," Montiel said. "I stopped working and started volunteering Tuesday. And so Tuesday and Wednesday, which are our last two days of the pay period, were volunteer hours for me. In a week, I put in from about five to 20 hours of volunteer work."
SG members receive their benefits through student tuition, primarily the activity and service fee. The money they receive falls under the university's budget and is tax-free.
"Any dedicated, hard-working individual, in order to achieve the greatest potential of excellence, should receive some kind of reward," Montiel said. "These benefits are an encouragement to get quality people in here, and that's what we're looking for."
Montiel said SG tried to find benefits for the student body and succeeded by getting a 20 percent discount from the bookstore on everything except textbooks.
With benefits for students, Montiel said it made sense because students are funding SG salaries.
"If students are going to be paying for our services, and we are not producing those services, we are wasting students' money," Montiel said. "It puts things in perspective because, for one, it's not a lot of money, but it also gives you a sense of accountability for the money that is spent for your time."
Montiel said he hoped the benefits would encourage people to run in the upcoming SG elections.
With 33 senators, Montiel said people were excited about joining SG and being a part of what it does for the students.
Some students have mixed opinions regarding SG officials receiving benefits.
"I could see them getting benefits, but that's a little much," said Mike Fox, a junior majoring in international marketing. "I don't vote or don't really care, but why should they get so hooked up?"
Mario Diaz, a senior majoring in communications at UNF, seemed surprised that SG members received such compensation.
"I was always with the impression that Student Government was just to look good on a resume or for experience," Diaz said. "If I would have known about the president making $15,000 a year, I would have done it."
