Increased input up for vote
By: Brian Austin, Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: University
Congress is offering students the chance to weigh in on the fee decision process, but some are unsure if the student body should have that responsibility.
Students will have the opportunity to vote via referendum Tuesday on whether they want the power to decide fee increases for four fees - student activity, Student Legal Services, the Undergraduate Teaching Award and APPLES fees.
"Fees are one of the main ways that Student Congress affects students' lives," Speaker Tyler Younts said. "I think giving them a voice on something like that is very important."
But some students said they don't think referendums are the ideal way to decide student fee increases.
"I don't think it's the best idea simply because I don't think students will always have an informed view of what student fees go toward," freshman Austin Monroe said.
Freshman Mary Reid reiterated the need for elected student officials to come to a consensus that meets the needs of students.
"I think that, like with anything else, they have to realize that (Congress) knows more about it than a student might," Reid said. "I think there needs to be set people who make the final decisions."
Others said they think referendums might not protect specific interests of smaller groups.
"It's probably not a good idea because not everybody uses student fees, but we need them anyway," junior Brandon Flowers said. "I personally haven't used any of those fees, but that doesn't mean they're not important to have."
The timeline for fee increases would become cramped if students get more input in the fee process through Tuesday's referendum, Graduate and Professional Student Federation President Lauren Anderson said.
She said the proposed referendums would put pressure on Student Congress to incorporate student opinions into the fee process quickly.
"I think it's great that students get to provide input," Anderson said. "But the people responsible really have to be on their 'A' game."
She emphasized that students' input is needed before the student fee advisory subcommittee's annual recommendations to the chancellor, which must be made by January.
Co-chairman of the student fee advisory subcommittee Roger Patterson said referendums on student fees could complicate the student fee process. He said Congress would need to make sure referendums fit into the subcommittee's schedule.
But Younts said that fees will still go through the usual channels.
"I don't see it as being any kind of negative impact on the process."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
Students will have the opportunity to vote via referendum Tuesday on whether they want the power to decide fee increases for four fees - student activity, Student Legal Services, the Undergraduate Teaching Award and APPLES fees.
"Fees are one of the main ways that Student Congress affects students' lives," Speaker Tyler Younts said. "I think giving them a voice on something like that is very important."
But some students said they don't think referendums are the ideal way to decide student fee increases.
"I don't think it's the best idea simply because I don't think students will always have an informed view of what student fees go toward," freshman Austin Monroe said.
Freshman Mary Reid reiterated the need for elected student officials to come to a consensus that meets the needs of students.
"I think that, like with anything else, they have to realize that (Congress) knows more about it than a student might," Reid said. "I think there needs to be set people who make the final decisions."
Others said they think referendums might not protect specific interests of smaller groups.
"It's probably not a good idea because not everybody uses student fees, but we need them anyway," junior Brandon Flowers said. "I personally haven't used any of those fees, but that doesn't mean they're not important to have."
The timeline for fee increases would become cramped if students get more input in the fee process through Tuesday's referendum, Graduate and Professional Student Federation President Lauren Anderson said.
She said the proposed referendums would put pressure on Student Congress to incorporate student opinions into the fee process quickly.
"I think it's great that students get to provide input," Anderson said. "But the people responsible really have to be on their 'A' game."
She emphasized that students' input is needed before the student fee advisory subcommittee's annual recommendations to the chancellor, which must be made by January.
Co-chairman of the student fee advisory subcommittee Roger Patterson said referendums on student fees could complicate the student fee process. He said Congress would need to make sure referendums fit into the subcommittee's schedule.
But Younts said that fees will still go through the usual channels.
"I don't see it as being any kind of negative impact on the process."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
OldTarheel
Old Tarheel
posted 10/25/07 @ 12:31 PM EST
First off, this article leads the reader to believe that they will be voting on the student fees in the next election. This is inaccurate. The students will be voting on whether they want to have a direct say in where their money goes. (Continued…)
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