The UA Staff Advisory Council learned about Gov. Jan Brewer’s budget recommendations for Arizona’s state universities, as well as discussed a Phoenix advocacy event and council elections at their monthly meeting Tuesday afternoon.

Guest speaker Tim Bee, associate vice president of UA State Relations, highlighted Gov. Jan Brewer’s plans for the state, as far performance funding and re-allocation of money. He discussed the almost $60 million total proposed for all three state universities combined. There is also a proposed $8 million for the UA College of Medicine in Phoenix.

Following Bee’s presentation, Beth Sauer, director of state relations, discussed the Cats @ the Capital event taking place in early March. This event aims to welcome the legislature to the UA Phoenix campus. UA President Ann Weaver Hart, deans, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and students will help showcase the new health sciences education building, as well as UA graduate and undergraduate research projects.

“We need a strong UofA presence,” Sauer said. “We want a very strong showing of the UofA in phoenix at the capital so they know UofA is here, UofA is in Arizona and we’re a strong voice for higher education in the state.”

Following Bee’s and Sauer’s presentation, SAC members discussed the treasury, as well as some of the events taking place this spring. SAC elections were also discussed and Claudia Arias, SAC president, explained her role and what it entails. She explained she will help shadow the next person who takes over the position.

“You [new president] wouldn’t be doing the job by yourself,” Arias said. “I would be assisting you.”

The rest of the positions within the council were explained, before the meeting drew to a close. Nominations are now open for executive board members and there will hopefully be a final vote at a meeting April 2, according to Arias. Once the new executive board is picked, that board will start planning for a July retreat.

“If it wasn’t for SAC I would not be where I’m at now,” Arias said. “I really think you should think about running for office and not be scared because you wouldn’t do it by yourself.”