The ASMSU Finance Board is responsible for reviewing and approving financial actions that impact ASMSU’s budget stability and student fee stewardship. This includes evaluating requests for reserve and supplemental funding, approving budget reallocations, and monitoring spending throughout the fiscal year. The board also has the authority to implement budget freezes or corrective actions when significant financial risks or policy concerns arise, ensuring ASMSU funds are managed responsibly and transparently.

The ASMSU Finance holds public meetings during the academic year every Monday at 5:30pm in the ASMSU Office (SUB 221) except during the first and final weeks of each semester and holidays.

Mission & Purpose

The ASMSU Finance Board exists to responsibly oversee ASMSU funds on behalf of the student body. The board ensures student fees are used transparently, in compliance with policy, and in ways that support student programs, services, and operations.

How the Finance Board Fits into ASMSU Governance

The ASMSU Finance Board is a standing board within ASMSU’s governance structure that provides fiscal oversight and financial review. It works in coordination with the ASMSU Student Business Manager, Financial Advisor, and ASMSU Senate by monitoring budgets, reviewing reserve, supplemental, and reallocation requests, and referring matters requiring legislative action or policy interpretation to the Senate when appropriate.

 

    ASMSU Financial Policies

 

 

    Email the ASMSU Business Manager

 

Meet the Finance Board

The ASMSU Finance Board shall abide by the composition, appointment, term, and duties as setforth inthe ASMSU Bylaws. 

Kirstin Jones

Business Manager (Chair)

Email: asmsubusiness@montana.edu

Molly Forney

Senate Speaker Pro Tempore (Voting Member)

Email: asmsusenatespeaker@montana.edu

Kate Johnson

Agriculute Senator (Voting Member)

 

Chase Koller

Business Senator (Voting Member)

 

Sadie Jenkins

College of Letters and Science Senator (Voting Member)

 

Priya Gardner

At Large Member (Voting Member)

 

Joe Perry

At Large Member (Voting Member)
 

Molly Claussen 

At Large Member (Voting Member)

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

The ASMSU Finance Board DOES:

  • Provide fiscal oversight of ASMSU funds on behalf of the student body

  • Review and vote on reserve, supplemental, and budget reallocation requests

  • Participate in the annual ASMSU budget development process

  • Monitor ASMSU budgets throughout the fiscal year to ensure compliance and accountability

  • Take action when significant budget variances or financial risks arise, including requiring corrective action or temporarily restricting access to funds

The ASMSU Finance Board does NOT:

  • Allocate funding to Registered Student Organizations (RSOs)

  • Manage day-to-day spending for clubs or ASMSU entities

  • Approve individual purchases or reimbursements

  • Replace the role of the ASMSU Business Office or Student Business Manager

For questions about RSO funding, purchasing, or reimbursements, please contact the ASMSU Business Office.

Reserve Requests
Funds set aside for unexpected or emergency needs that cannot be covered by the regular budget.


When appropriate:

  • A true emergency or unplanned situation

  • When an ASMSU entity has an unexpected funding gap that cannot be covered through normal budget or reallocation

Required documentation:

  • Explanation of the emergency or need

  • Current budget report showing the gap

  • Supporting invoices/quotes (if available)


Typical timeline:

  • Reviewed during the next Finance Board meeting

  • May be expedited if urgent

 

Supplemental Requests
Additional funding for planned needs that were not fully covered in the original budget.


When appropriate:

  • When an organization or ASMSU entity needs extra funds for a planned event or program

  • When costs increase unexpectedly but the need is not an emergency

 

Required documentation:

  • Detailed explanation of why additional funds are needed

  • Updated budget or expense breakdown

  • Quotes/invoices for planned expenses

 

Typical timeline:

  • Reviewed at the next Finance Board meeting

  • May take longer if additional information is needed

Moving funds from one budget category to another within an ASMSU budget.

When appropriate:

  • When a budget line item is over or under-spent

  • When plans change and money needs to be shifted to match updated priorities

 

Freeze: Temporarily restricting access to funds when there is a financial risk or policy concern

Unfreeze: Restoring access after issues are resolved


When appropriate:

  • Significant budget variances

  • Compliance concerns

  • Financial risk or uncertainty


Required documentation:

  • Financial reports showing the issue

  • Corrective action plan

  • Proof of resolution before unfreezing


Typical timeline:

  • Freezes may be immediate

  • Unfreezes occur once corrective actions are approved