Student Union Management System nears completion
by Liz Posner
News | 11/17/09
Posted online at 12:41 AM EST on 11/17/09
The Student Union issued a press release Nov. 9 to announce that it has entered the final stages in the development of the Student Union Management System, a new software program that will help student organizations better manage their finances. All student organizations will be required to use the Web site beginning Jan. 19, according to the press release.
The primary goal of SUMS is to increase transparency and efficiency in the distribution of club finances, according to Stephen Costa, a budget analyst in the Office of Students and Enrollment, who handles Union finances.
When SUMS is fully implemented next semester, each student organization will be given an account through which it will be able to access the program. The main page shows a list of finance requests, a description of each request, the date it was issued and its approval status. Another page includes details of the club's allocations and where its finances are directed.
SUMS is the result of a partnership between the Student Union and Village Software, a Boston-based company that develops database systems and software programs for businesses, universities and nonprofit organizations. According to Adam Leffert, a developer at Village Software, the Union has been working with Village Software to develop the new system since January 2008, when the project began.
The Student Union paid approximately $75,000 for the development and maintenance of the system. The project was funded by leftover club allocations.
According to Costa, the push for development of a new finance organization system was a combined effort. "I was the one originally pushing hardest for a robust application, but [past Union Treasurer] Choon Woo Ha '08 and [Assistant Vice President for Students and Enrollment] Frank Urso made significant contributions to help make it possible," Costa wrote in an e-mail to the Justice.
Student Union Treasurer Daniel Acheampong '11 and Costa gave a presentation to club leaders at a special Nov. 13 meeting arranged to introduce clubs to the new SUMS program.
The primary goal of SUMS is to increase transparency and efficiency in the distribution of club finances, according to Stephen Costa, a budget analyst in the Office of Students and Enrollment, who handles Union finances.
When SUMS is fully implemented next semester, each student organization will be given an account through which it will be able to access the program. The main page shows a list of finance requests, a description of each request, the date it was issued and its approval status. Another page includes details of the club's allocations and where its finances are directed.
SUMS is the result of a partnership between the Student Union and Village Software, a Boston-based company that develops database systems and software programs for businesses, universities and nonprofit organizations. According to Adam Leffert, a developer at Village Software, the Union has been working with Village Software to develop the new system since January 2008, when the project began.
The Student Union paid approximately $75,000 for the development and maintenance of the system. The project was funded by leftover club allocations.
According to Costa, the push for development of a new finance organization system was a combined effort. "I was the one originally pushing hardest for a robust application, but [past Union Treasurer] Choon Woo Ha '08 and [Assistant Vice President for Students and Enrollment] Frank Urso made significant contributions to help make it possible," Costa wrote in an e-mail to the Justice.
Student Union Treasurer Daniel Acheampong '11 and Costa gave a presentation to club leaders at a special Nov. 13 meeting arranged to introduce clubs to the new SUMS program.
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