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Senate postpones fee hike

The Student Government Association decided to postpone a resolution on a bill regarding a $50 increase to student’s tuition in order to aid the second phase of renovations to the University Center.

Senators decided that there was not enough input from current students at UH and to vote on the resolution at this point would be an “uninformed” decision.

Although a similar resolution was passed at the last meeting that would help aid the first phase of the renovations, the majority of the current senators fear that passing an increase in student fees without a strong gauge of what the students they represent want would be an injustice to them.

“There is an (even) split exactly from the students that I polled,” Senator At Large Anna Fisher said. “About a third of the kids want us to pass this in order for future (students) to see a great UC even if they don’t see it, a third of the students are like, ‘We do not need a renovation,’ and a third of the students feel like the renovation is a great project but don’t want to pay for something they don’t see.”

However, not everyone on the senate agrees with postponing the decision.

There was a strong move to pass the resolution by many of the senators and committees in the room, including President Michael Harding, who feels that a renovation is needed for “the heart” of the University and declining the bill will just make the process harder in the long run.

“The time to pass is now,” said Jeff Syptak, CLASS senator for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. “The aid will help and maintain the Tier One status that we have now. There is no need to wait to pass the resolution. We are voting on our future and the University’s future.”

Senators agreed to postpone the resolution until after they have discussed the issue with students and planned a special meeting for Monday to make a final decision.

5 Comments

  • “The time to pass is now,” said Jeff Syptak, CLASS senator for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. “The aid will help and maintain the Tier One status that we have now. There is no need to wait to pass the resolution. We are voting on our future and the University’s future.”

    How the heck is passing a $50 hike to our already high tuition bill to make improvements to the UC which is barely used save for the food court going to help us in our "quest" for Tier One status?

    What we need to do is look at things such as the ice cream store and the UC underground and, if students aren't using them then shut em' down as they are just a waste of money.

  • If this bill passes it will raise tuition on students even if they graduate before construction is complete. Their tuition will be raised yet they will never be able to enjoy the renovations of the UC. The detailed budget is hundreds of pages long and a significant majority of our senators have not read what they are voting on.

  • I would disagree. More of the senate than you think is actually very educated on the issue and I know several have met individually with the administration and students in an attempt to work out what is best for students in the long run. If I may recommend, for any students wishing to voice their opinion on the UC issue, please come to the den(first floor of the UC) at 7:00 on Monday. We always appreciate any input you may have to offer.

  • Charge the freshman and sophmores that will actually use it. Upperclassmen that will never get to enjoy the new facility should not be charged.

  • Be apart of the change that will happen. the UC is in dire need for change and I'm happy it passed!

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