Spring Break
Measure V met with
opposition at A.S. meeting
Anne Ward, Daily Staff Writer
- Page 1 of 1
No date has been set for release of the A.S. resolution, said Maribel Martinez, president of A.S.
Measure V is a proposal by the Student Union to increase fees to renovate 155,000 square feet of existing space and add 65,000 square feet. The conceptual plan includes additional student organization space, club meeting space and retail space, a cyber cafe, expanded food services and increased space and renovations for the Sports Center.
The meeting lasted more than five hours with the lion's share of the meeting spent on discussing the precise wording of the resolution.
The original resolution draft, authored by Rachel Greathouse, director of legislative affairs, was included in the agenda packet. Greathouse, however, had already scrapped the original, presenting board members with a revised version at the meeting.
Martinez said the revised version was prompted by discussions between herself and Greathouse, in which Martinez said she advised Greathouse to fact-check the statements.
Alice Tsai, director of student rights and responsibilities, presented revisions based on the original resolution draft. Tsai said the exact wording of the resolution was important because she thinks students look to A.S. members for assistance in understanding issues such as the Student Union fee increase. She also said scrutiny of the resolution was necessary because it would represent the entire A.S. board.
"I really wanted it to be accurate," Tsai said. "I'm not happy that it's not entirely accurate."
Tsai said that midway through the meeting her proposed revisions were disallowed, but she continued to raise questions about the resolution's statements.
"I'm satisfied with the procedure that was allowed to happen and the dialogue that occurred with the board members," Martinez said. "It showed a great deal of commitment by the board members."
Huy Tran, a board member of the Student Union, spoke out against the resolution at the meeting.
"They misrepresented our words," he said of the resolution.
"The whole meeting was a sham. They went in there to approve the resolution that opposes the referendum, regardless of the facts presented in the meeting. Obviously, they went in to oppose the measure."
A.S. members listened to supporters of the fee increase and those who oppose it.
"The intent of the A.S. resolution, to me, is an attempt to present the other side of the issue," said Akbar Shetty, a senior majoring in marketing economics.
Shetty said the Student Union needs to provide more information to students about what they'll have to pay and why.
"They need to provide more than conceptual ideas," Shetty said. "This could start a whole chain of events which could impact the students."
Catherine Busalacchi, executive director of the Student Union, answered questions asked by A.S. members of the process followed in putting the measure to vote and of the fee reserves held by the Student Union.
"It is not required that we go through a referendum. We are doing so as a courtesy so that we can get students involved and to allow them to express their voice," Busalacchi said.
Paragraphs in the A.S. resolution charge that the Student Union is experiencing financial difficulties, and the fee increase is being used to resolve those issues.
"I feel the Student Union is in need of certain improvements, but it needs to take measures to solve its financial problems first. They shouldn't put that on the students," Shetty said.
Fee increase proposals for the Student Union have been in discussions since last spring, Busalacchi said.
"The timing of the measure is highly suspect," Shetty said. "A lot of students who will be affected are new to campus and don't have enough information. They should consider postponing the measure vote to next semester."
Tent cards promoting the measure vote have been placed on tables throughout the Student Union. Red banners hang on the inside and outside walls encouraging students to vote on Nov. 6 and 7. However, some students said they were unaware of the details of the measure and its proposals.
"I haven't heard much about it," said Ivy Brocks, a senior English major. "I would probably vote yes because they're going to raise it anyway - it (the Student Union) might as well look better."
Proposed uses of the fee increase, according to advertising by the Student Union, include modernization and expansion of facilities, and additional services.
If the measure passes, students will pay an additional $23 fee with tuition in Spring 2003, followed by increases of $40 in Spring 2004 and $35 in Spring 2005. In total, the fee increase would grow to $179 per semester from the current $81 cost per semester.
Busalacchi said Student Union fees have not increased in more than 13 years. However, some students said they were opposed to another increase in fees following so closely behind an increase in parking fees.
"I don't agree with it," said junior Cristal Romero, a liberal arts major. "Tuition is increasing. Parking fees just increased. It seems they are adding something almost every semester."
Another student agreed and expressed worry of personal finances.
"They still want more money, just like with the parking permit," said Suhail Ansari, a civil engineering senior. "It just keeps adding up. We don't get enough financial aid as it is."
The referendum states "the three-phased planning and construction would begin in Fall 2003 and be ready for occupancy in Fall 2006." Benefitting from the proposed expansion was a concern by some students.
"I'm not going to be here to benefit from it. Maybe if I knew what exactly they were doing with the money," said Joseph Chavrez, a junior majoring in business finance.
Operating costs have risen and, Busalacchi said, that, coupled with the lack of increases in recent years could cause the Student Union to cut services or even close.
"It would be a big loss, but not that big," Ansari said.
The CSU system is facing a potential five percent budget cut that is expected to be signed by Gov. Gray Davis after the upcoming statewide election.
James Brent, chairman of the Academic Senate, said those cuts may affect course offerings next semester.
"By all accounts there will be fewer sections next semester," Brent said.
The Student Union is an auxiliary organization of SJSU, is self-supporting and receives no tax dollar support from the State of California or the CSU system.
"From a business standpoint, I think it would be a good idea (to increase the fees.) It's overcrowded and people are usually looking for places to sit," said junior George Alvarez, a business finance major. "But, I would rather pay $40 more to keep classes though, than for the Student Union."
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