OCR Text |
Show THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY '' SUSC receives $12 million budget BY NATALIE CONDIE With the conclusion of the Utah legislature's 1988 general session, SUSC came out ahead of other Utah colleges in budget increases, but lost its chance at $2.1 million for the development of an academic service center in the old Student Center. Southern Utah State College will receive a 3.8 percent budget increase in fiscal year 1988-8the highest percentage increase of Utah's senior institutions. However a bond for that would have granted SUSC $2.1 million for renovation of the old student center was voted down by the state senate. The renovation would have created an academic service center, offering a small business development center, a center for tourism studies, conference and workshop opportunites, and a resource repository. The legislature approved SUSC's budget of approximately $12 million. The total budget for the state's nine colleges and universities came to $347.9 million. It's an austere budget for both the system of higher education and the college," said SUSC President Gerald R. Sherratt. "But we will be able to address a few areas of most urgent needs on campus." In other action, the legislature increased tuition for next year by 8 percent which will e resident tuition to $378 per bring quarter. The body also mandated that there will d be no salary hikes for college employees and failed to authorize a bond issue 9, full-tim- across-the-boar- FEBRUARY 29, 1988 PAGE 3 it"" that would have remodeled the old Student Center into a continuing education and academic service center. The legislature also removed the tax exemption paid by students at college-operate- d food services, with the exception of d contracts for students in residence halls, and they authorized a statewide library study, including the proposed enlarged Library at pre-pai- SUSC. SUSC led the percentage increase of the state's four senior institutions. The percentage change for the University of Utah was 1.9 percent; Utah State University, 1.6 percent; and Weber State College, 2.3 percent. The new state budget will fund 650 new students of the 3,200 added enrollments projected for next fall. That means some students may be turned away from college. SUSC was funded for 104 new students. "Our biggest pressures at SUSC are first, mandated costs such as insurance, utilities and social security increases; second, enrollment growth; and third, the widening salary gap for faculty' and staff," said Sherratt. "The 1988-8- 9 budget will only partially cover mandated costs. In fact, we'll have to close one building the old Student Center to regular use. "It funds only one-fift- h of the expected increase in student enrollment and provides for only a merit pay boost, if we can squeeze funds from the budget," Sherratt said. "Our financial problems and those of other institutions are not solved by this budget, just marginally bandaged," concluded Sherratt. Campaigns cost money Student elections have arrived and prospective office holders have been campaigning. One vital ingredient in any election is money, and elections here are no exception. For this year, the parties and independents who are running can raise a maximum of $1,600, which includes donations of cash, goods and materials. The current election committee waived election bylaw sec. 3 article 8 which limits spending to $1,200 per party or independent candidate. How the money is raised by the parties is left up to them. After the elections, they will be subject to a special audit. According to Mark Waters, the New View presidential candidate, his party raised approximately $1,350 through private donations and candidate contributions. Darin Bird, presidential candidate for The Edge, said they raised approximately $1,100 through candidate and private and campaign button sales. contributions, along with Both men emphasize that their parties have no debt problems. t ( 1 V 'A 'Jk Although SUSC received the greatest budget increase President Cerald R. Sherratt said the budget percentage-wis- e problems of this college are not solved, only bandaged. Project Alta asks Senate for funding BY LISA ROBINSON Although student government members were busy campaigning last week in the primary elections, it was business as usual when they attended their meetings. The ASSUSC Senate heard from Rosie Fletcher and Daren Estes who wish to make Project Alta, a program for disabled students, a line item. Estes said they would probably need about $1,000 a year which would go towards recorded textbooks, tape players, and other academic aids. Fletcher said although "the disabled students have academic potential, wonder how many won't be able to reach their academic goals," if they don't receive financial support. K.C. Jones told the senate his report on the Rodeo Club in the previous meeting was I correct. He added, however, the incidents of misconduct and alcohol consumption on trips occurred last year. Jones said Dean Al Tait, one of the club's advisers, told him the club was a good group besides having some trouble in academics. Amy Dalton went before the Executive Council to try to get the SUSC Chorale chartered as a club. ASSUSC President Monica Moe said, "It's been a senate policy not to fund academic groups," and the chorale is a class. The council will investigate before making a decision. Darin Bird, political affairs representative, spoke about the tax referendum. He said, "bonding may go through to renovate the Student Center." (However, the Legislature later chose not to fund the bond request.) Bird supports current policies Waters to accent involvement The Edge would strengthen SUSC's political voice (continued from page 1) their concerns," he says. In addition to increased political clout, Bird says The Edge would like to see parking lot improvements completed during spring quarter. The Library's parking lot still needs paving, he said, and he would like to see continued improvements in upper campus parking. For instance, Bird believes the parking area near the president's home could be paved as well. The Edge would also like to continue with already successful programs like the Starlight Ciub and student representation, says Bird. He says the party hopes to offer a release for student frustration via original activities. "Tad Brinker-hof- f has come up with some fun ideas. The campaign activities like the pictionary tournament and county days are his ideas," says Bird. A fitness center is a major goal of the party, as it wishes to continue current plans to buy equipment and possibly convert the present snack bar into a fitness center with weights, machines and an aerobic dance floor. Proceeds from this week's Edge fundraisers will go toward the center, as well as money from other fundraisers and private donations. Bird says he would like to try to open a center by fall. Bird says he hopes to enhance the future of SUSC and make Cedar City a better campus community by working with the city to provide more services for students. New View would improve activities , communication (continued from page 1) regulate spending throughout the year. "We want to be sure the money that is spent is spent wisely," he says, and adds, "We want to set a precedent at the beginning of the year and not be frivolous with the funds." Waters notes that he will push for solid presentation of bills, while stressing the importance of senatorial investigations of requested funding. Waters says an investigation of housing is high on his priority list and that there is a communication gap in resident living to be addressed. Student activities are a key part of an education, according to Waters. He says he would like to reevaluate and continue to improve the consolidation of the open recreation and intramurals programs. Waters notes that it was an important step made by the current administration, but the program still needs some work to reach its full potential as a benefit for the student body at large. Waters is currently working under the director of student activities as student activities intern. He stresses his experience in student government and desire for active student involvement and awareness. A founder and president of the SUSC chapter of Sigma Nu, Waters emphasizes the importance of student activities. He notes that an increased interest in academics can be achieved through clubs and activities centering on a student's major and maintains that regular club field trips can broaden the educational experience. |