After a budget presentation during last Thursday’s Student Senate meeting, many were concerned about the cost of the soon-to-open Campus Commons building and whether funds could have been better spent elsewhere.

Michelle Quinn, senior vice president and chief financial officer for UNC, answered many questions after her presentation but many were centered around student success and if the university was allocating money appropriately.

Given their recent faux pas with a software developer who never delivered an app, many were concerned about the university’s judgement in making appropriate decisions and wondered how the university would prevent being defrauded in the future.

Quinn said that they follow a procurement process, but that it varies depending on the level of expenditure. A more-lengthy request for proposal usually happens for large purchases, but just a “documented quote” was obtained from the app developer.

“In this case, the process was not sufficient,” she said. “We have made changes to make sure these things don’t happen in the future.”

During her presentation, Quinn identified the key goals for the university’s 5-year fiscal sustainability plan and identified what to expect from their next financial plan, which included improving student success overall. However, several were concerned that maybe the $74 million Campus Commons building might not be worth it.

Quinn, however, was quick to point out that most of the funding for the building came from the state – $38 million – with $12 million coming from donors. The remaining $24 million was debt the university took out and will repay over the next 30 years through bonds.

She also said that the building itself will help with student success. The center will feature a GPS+ center, which she calls a “good place to start,” for students to get their questions answered. The center will contain representatives from the financial aid, registrar, bursar’s, and graduate school offices.

“This will remove barriers to ensure students succeed,” she said.

She said many other questions asked about student success, such as those regarding curriculum changes, should not have been directed to her.

The next Student Senate meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. February 21 in the Council Room on the second floor of the University Center.