The Foothill-De Anza Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2017-2018 DASB budget on Monday, May 1. The approval was the final step in the budget process that began in January.

Chair of Finance Amanda Le, and former Chair of Finance Jennifer Tanko presented the budget to the board, highlighting areas where funding changed.

Tanko specifically recognized Professor Jason Bram for paying out of his own pocket to take students on marine biology related field trips. “Because of this, we created a new fund for marine biology so professors like Bram do not have to pay for everything,” Tanko said.

Le and Tanko noted that funding is down this year due to declining DASB card sales and Flea Market revenue. Board Member Gilbert Wong said he attends every flea market and recommended better advertising to draw in more customers.

“I just really want to thank the De Anza student body for supporting academic success and programs,” said Board President Laura Casas. “I know in the past you have funded many, many programs that we could not fund.”

Tanko thanked DASB Advisor John Cognetta for providing his time and expertise throughout the budget process.

DASB Bike Program Coordinator Shaida Biglari and former Coordinator Eddie Cisneros also spoke at the meeting about improving bike safety around the campus.

“I’ve seen personally the danger that’s happened, and even last year around October, I was actually hit on my bike on McClellan and Stelling,” Cisneros said. “It’s very poorly lit. Even though I had my lights on, I still got t-boned by a car.”

Biglari and Cisneros said that De Anza could improve its signage about sharing the road as well as making sure existing signs are visible.

“We’re getting support from the the city [of Cupertino], and we’ve met on multiple occasions with some city officials and people who work for Walk-Bike Cupertino,” Biglari said. “They’re ready to provide engineers and advice on how to improve safety.”