A conservative Student Senate committee debated fee increases proposed to them by various departments, and, except for one, decided to recommend less than what those departments wanted.
A student fees committee comprised of eight senators met to discuss five proposed bills Sunday night. Four of the members, enough for quorum, kept the idea of “necessity over want” as they shot down requests by NCSU Athletics, the Union Activities Board, Student Health Services and Student Centers.
Not all on-campus departments requested an increase in fees, and most are not eligible. The committee was responsible for discussing those who asked for more.
All of their recommendations are just that — recommendations. They will be voted on by the entire Student Senate Monday.
Athletics
Less.
The athletics department asked for an increase of $35, which would make their total yearly fee $227.00 per student. The committee recommended $30.
Athletics wanted more money to continue to increase travel and recruiting budgets, increase academic support programs for student athletes and hire and retain coaches.
As Senator Bradley Poston, a junior in human biology said, “I want to win.” If it were not for the fact that highly publicized athletics teams have been losing with so much frequency in the recent past, the four senators present would have recommended less than the $30.
Student Health Services
Less.
Student Health wanted a $10 per student increase. The committee recommended a $7 increase.
Student health administrators want to allocate two-thirds of the increased fee to make room for two positions: a pharmacist and a “pharmacy administrative support associate.” The remaining one-third would go toward increased laboratory staffing due to increased demand and general building maintenance.
Senators in the committee looked up average pharmacist and assistant pharmacist salaries, both nationally and those already employed on campus, and decided $10 was too large of an increase. They also mentioned that Student Health received a fee increase of $12.50 last year — mostly for the health center’s building renovations.
University Recreation
Unchanged
University Recreation requested an increase in fees per student of $13.17, which would bring their yearly fee to $142.27. The committee recommended $13.17.
Recreation wants to foster longer hours of operation at Carmichael Gymnasium, which would require further staffing — most of whom would be students. Recreation also wants to offer more fitness classes and prepare for expansion to Centennial Campus.
It was announced last week that the men’s locker room at Carmichael will begin a major overhaul in November. Recreation’s fee increase request had nothing to do with that particular project, according to committee chair and senior in meteorology Patrick Devore .
Union Activities Board
Less.
The UAB requested an increase of $0.37, which would bring their total fee per student to $15.50. The committee recommended students give them $0 more — nothing.
Although all eight members of the committee were not present Sunday, all of them helped gather information relevant to making the right decisions, according to Devore . When members of the committee showed up for a conference with UAB administrators, UAB President Matt Woodward did not show up, according to Devore .
The senators agreed that the UAB’s request for an increase was not specific enough. The request did make it specific, though, that they wanted a 3 percent increase for inflation, but the UAB has $20,000 in reserves.
Student Centers
Much less.
The student centers bill debated by the committee had four main parts: ARTS N.C . State, the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity, Student Programs and Campus Enterprises. The senators decided to recommend less than what all four requested.
ARTS N.C . State requested an increase of $5.27. Committee members recommended an increase of $1.77 for further student hourly wage positions, an inflationary increase and capital improvements, such as a new sound system for Stewart Theatre .
OIED requested $2.23 to hire a single person in the Women’s Center: an Interpersonal Violence Awareness Program Coordinator. The committee did not have enough information to make an informed recommendation, but the amount $1.55 was thrown around as senators said “pay him or her less.” The topic will be brought up again Monday at the full Senate meeting; committee members have a meeting with the Women’s Center Monday night.
Student Programs wanted an increase of $1.66 to create two new positions, one of which would be graduate assistantship position new programs. The committee responded with a recommendation of $0. Members saw value in the creation of the positions, but they wanted Student Programs to find the money within their existing budget.
Campus Enterprises, which operates the four student centers — Witherspoon Student Center, Talley Student Center, Thompson Hall and Price Music Center — asked for an increase of $14.12. The committee recommended $6.50. The centers have eight housekeeping staff members, as opposed to the 12 national standards suggest would be best. Also, with the expansion of Talley, Campus Enterprises wanted more staff in general. Committee members decided the Talley expansion will take time, and therefore will not require such a large funding increase all at once.
Stay with Technician for updates on how the Student Senate votes on the issues.
