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Show It didn't happen "DEMAND TRUTH. In spite of rumors and phone calls to the contrary, Duane Moss has supported the following programs since he first began campaiging in January: Continued support for and expansion of: 1. HELP-Line. HELP-Line. ..." So Make It Happen told us last winter, anyway. Too bad it wasn't true. The first hint that the new hunch in ASUU didn't really Donna Lee, Helpline's student director, points out that most of the "serious" calls those involving potentially dangerous situations come between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. After the Union closes. So far the Union management has resisted Helpline's efforts to stay after hours during the summer. ASUU refuses to support Helpline, which could be one reason the Union balks at the request. If student back Helpline came when Moss' hand-picked Finance Board cut their $1025 budget request (the same as last year) to $825. They wanted to know what Helpline does. The assembly, fortunately, knew it did something and raised this back up to $1000 (still a cut of $25, though). The message was beginning to sink in. Last summer Helpline was told by the Union ad-minstration ad-minstration to start clearing out when the building closed-midnight closed-midnight instead of 2 a.m. as before. This summer the Union closes at 10 p.m., and Helpline's 24-hour service is rendered from volunteers' homes after that, with the help of a taped message. This creates a lot of problems for Helpline, obviously, ob-viously, especially if the volunteer has a noisy roommate or lives with his parents. government doesn't care, why should the Union? Maybe it's just a minor issue, nothing vital. But it could be very important to the kids overdosing on drugs, having sex problems, carrying an unwanted pregnancy, worrying about school or work, fighting with parents or spouse. During the summer there are perhaps 20 calls a day to Helpline. It doesn't answer to say "kids in college should solve their own problems" because all too often we can't. In short, Helpline performs a vital service for the University and the community. Nibbling away at them with budget cuts and hours restrictions does not help them do their job. Duane Moss should give Helpline both verbal and financial backing, and stand behind their request I for extended hours in the Union. I |