Senate approval will cost students |
Mike Terry |
Bypassing suggestions for a student referendum to vote on a proposed athletic fee increase, the student senate unanimously approved the $8.60 increase at Friday's meeting. The new fee will take affect in 2003. According to Student Body President Phil Gersman, the plan is to increase the fee to a total of $34.60 over the next four years. Several athletes, including members of the women's basketball team, showed up to support the proposal. According to Athletics Director Cindy Jones, the money will go toward scholarships, awards, salaries and increasing the competitiveness of all sports teams at the school. If successful, SIUE might be able to consider other options in the future such as moving up to Division I or starting a football program. Although the department hasn't identified exactly how much funding each program will get, Jones was quick to point out that basketball will definitely be the most important focus. "Basketball gives us our best chance to create an exciting event and have the biggest impact," she said. Despite eventually receiving unanimous approval from the senate, a referendum was considered to allow individual students the opportunity to vote on the issue in March's election. "There are a lot of mixed feelings," Senator Bobby Harris said. "I don't see why we can't let the students decide." "Almost everyone I have talked to has been vehemently opposed to this fee increase," added Finance Chair Rick Box. "I feel students wouldn't vote for this." Gersman responded by questioning the senators on their duties as elected officials. "Are you saying you can't represent the students?" he asked. "I would venture to say that you work closer with your constituencies than senators do on state level and I believe you are more than adequate enough to make a vote on this issue." Other fees approved by the senate included an $8.50 increase for various operating expenses on the construction on the Morris University Center, a $1.50 increase for textbook services, a $2.90 raise for student welfare and activity fee recreation programs and a 3-percent rental rate increase in student housing. The senate also passed a resolution urging the Illinois Board of Higher Education to adopt a new policy that would require colleges and universities to provide an itemized listing of fees on student's bills and a clear definition of the term "student fee." Schools would also be encouraged to seek the advice of student government before changing fees. Phi Beta Sigma's request of $2,766 for the Jazz Fest was turned down by a 5-7 vote after it was discovered that fraternity member Christopher Connor was also part of one of the bands that would be paid to play at the event. Three travel requests of $425 each and program requests of $1,300 for the International Association of Jazz Educator's Jazz Masters Series and $2,260 for The SHEila Connection's "Finding Our Own Voice" were given unanimous approval. The next senate meeting will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, in the Goshen Lounge of the MUC. | |