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Show mmiE archives r Peterson makes wise ryvLA decisionSee page 6 1 i . ummer Chronicle HE Celebrating 100 Years Wednesday, June 27, 1990 University of l tali worr Reginiis V- -- 4 s x , jrwc x s k x Xx x f V " - - A xx N x , X SL f X. t untouched By Rebecca Walsh Chronicle News Editor i V ixx N decision that will help resolve the divisions University," the recent Walsh Chronicle News Editor By Rkbecca . within the committee's A $500,000 The State Board of Regents canceled its plans to investigate ?1V . xx- - "x- . V 1 - r i , - - v4VAt v vvs . ! & v;xfVv President Chase Peterson in light of his recent retirement decision. Doug Foxley, Board of Regents chairman, said Peterson's announcement that he will resign at school year the end of the 1990-91 Academic Senate's of its earlier withdrawal makes moot investigation request the board's earlier plans to review and the the president's administration. Regents voted unanimously to accept a statement issued by the Academic Senate Executive Committee which commends Peterson's accomplishments at the U. and pledges to work with the president in the final year of his administration. "We recognize and applaud the many substantial achievements that President Chase Peterson has accomplished on behalf of the Chronicle I'holobv Ix'slii' U. (xiiioii President Chase Peterson said although he will retire at the end of the 1990-9- 1 school year, he will not be a 4lame duck' in his final year of administration. University of Utah during the past seven years," and, "We commend his timely and statesmanlike Peterson announced June 11 to the media and members of the Institutional Council that he will retire at the end of the coming Institute and Raymond Hixson, State Advisory Council chairman, said the EnergyFusion donation is not a state concern any longer it's a situation U. a ad'ministrators will have to deal resolution passed by the Academic Senate requesting a review of his administration. with "The 'anonymous' donation is an internal problem for Despite these disputes, Foxley University officials. It is not a problem for the state council to deal with anymore," Hixson Peterson's said, "President announcement wasn't expected. President Peterson has always explained. enjoyed wide respect from board members so we were shocked by his announcement." Foxley also praised the president for his awareness of the controversy on campus and his decision to alleviate possible continued tension at the U. "President Peterson has always had an incredible talent for knowing what individuals should do at certain times in their lives. I think he knew it was time for a see "Peterson" on page three The donation, funded by the U. acquisition of 69,000 signatures. Budget. may have to turn away more than 6,000 students in 1991, he added. In addition, approximately 230 faculty and 270 staff positions would be vacated, and many academic and research programs would be reduced. Much of the debate at the meeting centered on whether the position the Board of Regents took was politically ethical. "I wish that could say as regents we should not get involved in setting tax policy," stated Douglas S. Foxley, Utah State Independent Party's maintain these services, universities with all of this is the devastating see "regents" on page two ill-tim- ed By Michael Seare Chronicle Staff Writer Removing Utah's sales tax on food and is a concept that is one that would seriously damage the state's system of higher education, said members of the State Board of "ill-time- d" Regents. In their June 22 meeting, the regents voted to adopt a position against the proposed tax initiative because of the detrimental impact they said the measure may have on the future of higher education. Supporters call for the elimination of all sales tax from food, except food prepared for immediate consumption and food sold through vending machines. If the initiative passes, the Utah System of Higher Education could lose $31 million in revenue beginning in fiscal year according to from the Utah Legislature analysts and Utah State Office of Planning and 1991-199- 2, With such a reduction, universities will be hard pressed to provide their current student services, Kerr said. To shouldn't cut the budget of those entities." He added that he understood ASUU's insistence on an emergency fund, but diverting money from the By Victoria Long Chronicle Staff Writer The University of Utah Institutional Council rejected a new budget proposal by ASUU because members of the council said it was unfair to indirectly control student groups by diverting funds. At the June meeting of the U. Institutional Council, an approval body of state appointees, ASUU president John Wunderli requested that student groups, allocated money by student government, agree to a cutback in funding for one year. Council members questioned whether a 15 for the Chronicle and a 10 cent-per-stude- nt cutback cent-per-stude- nt cut for the Broadcasting Council account were appropriate. Emanuel Floor, council member, said, "I felt it was inappropriate for student government to have that type of fiscal control over the media councils. My position is that we media could be seen as violating freedom of the press. Wunderli said he believes this is a valid criticism, but disagreed with the Council's decision. "I don't think student government has ever exercised any direct control over the Chronicle and I don't think it ever will," he- said Last year, ASUU boards were funded at a level of $212,000. This year, they were funded at $150,000 as a result of increased operating costs. Because such a large amount has been cut from ASUU boards, a separate Cabinet Special Projects Account was created. This account, commonly known as the president's "slush fund," serves as insurance for ASUU emergencies and as a general reserve for U. students. Wunderli said, "The purpose of a general reserve is to serve U. students. I hope - likes both ideas, but it puts us in a very tough position because we can't cover those costs until next year. We are taking a major cut without any revenue increase. I wouldn't like to see our problems being solved by a fee increase. There are probably other Institutional Council requiring groups funded by ASUU to accept a budget decrease. The council voted against the plan. Despite denying . decide whether (the institute will accept or reject the money. "It's important to remember that the $500,000 is in a university account and is not being used and I have no plans to tap it in the future," WTill . said. James Brophy, U. research vice president, said, "The donation is in a U. account . where it always has been. It is left to the president's discretion to decide what to do with the money." Despite the fusion donation's inactive status, Hixson said the state council will continue its plans to audit and review the Cold Fusion Institute. The state council is currently selecting . with an electrochemist and specialists in calorimetry (heat measurement) end metallergy will be on the review board. "We want to choose the best with the Eeople possible credentials so the . ways to get the money," he said. In order to increase available monies, he proposed a plan to the .be fastitute. At least one physicist along Broadcast Council account were created, each taking 30 cents per . . scientists to review the scientific progress as well as the financial standing of the going to have enough to fund all these new projects," he said. Last year a day care account and a . most-Jikely'- the board's prerogative 'to "But the problem that concerns me students to generate their own ideas and in turn the money will be available to them." However, he said he is concerned the slush fund will create competition between ASUU boards and student groups. "I'm concerned that we aren't l returned to the university. "I recommended that the donation be returned to and kept at the university and that the board of directors make a final decision about its use. It's chairman. that such an account will incite student fee dollar. "ASUU and'-wil- 1 Board of Regents rejects ASUU budget plan Research Foundation's collections of rents and lease payments in Research Park, was initially given to the Institute to pay for visiting scientists to conduct research at the Institute. However, in the furor that has erupted since the gift was revealed as a U. contribution during the first week of June, Institute Director Fritz Will said the money will not be touched Higher ed to suffer if food tax cut, regents say because we "I think it's have gone through . . . four or five years of very depressed budgets, depressed feelings on the loss of major key faculty people," said Board of Regents Commissioner Rolfe Kerr. "And just as we begin now with some strengthening of the economy, as we begin to restore and rebound, then we dash those hopes with another move to cut at the heart of the resources that give us the capacity to respond to our challenge in higher education." . Initiative A will be placed on the November ballot as a result of the n Utah officials make the final decision about its fate. school year. His statement came in reaction to recent tensions on the U. campus concerning an "anonymous" $500,000 donation to the National Cold Fusion "anonymous-donatio- to the Utah Cold Fusion Institute will remain untouched until University of statement said. I 1 'Anonymous' gift remains Peterson plans productive year despite controversies -v Vol. 100. No. people on the board and their final review will be beyond ASUU president John Wunderli ASUU's request, Council members said additional funds may be made available to ASUU. "We restored funding levels . . with the suggestion by the university administration that the programs ASUU wanted to run could bo funded by the university," Wunderli explained. . dispute," Hixson explained. One goal of the State EnergyFusion Council is to determine whether private donations similar to the U. Research Foundation's donation will be available to the Institute in the future, Private donations are crucial to continued state support of fusion, he said, see "fusion" on page five Bulk Rate U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 1529 Salt Lake City, UT ' ; |