Editorial
Senate urged to continue putting needs, benefits of students first
May 2, 2013
The 76th session of Student Senate began on Tuesday, April 30.
The new Senate hit the ground running in its first meeting, introducing six motions at the meeting. Two of these motions were passed, with the other four set to be voted on at the May 7 meeting.
One of the motions to be voted on at the meeting will be a resolution which would be against a tuition freeze, and for a 5.5 percent tuition cap.
The tuition freeze is a proposed plan coming down from the state level which would keep tuition at its current number for the next two years. This plan has stemmed from the roughly $1 billion surplus found by the state a few weeks ago.
This is an immensely important issue which, unfortunately, students probably do not know much, if anything, about. Frankly, students should inform themselves on this surplus and tuition freeze, because it will affect UW-River Falls one way or another. If the freeze takes effect, the University may have to look into other pools of money to fund certain projects, or areas on campus. But, tuition would remain the same rather than increasing.
If Senate’s proposed resolution passes on May 7, it is possible that tuition could go up the next two years, but the funds for projects and other areas on campus would probably not be affected.
This is kind of a big deal.
If you have a strong view on this, one way or another, let Senate know. Whether you come to the meeting or talk to a senator anytime before the meeting, your voice and opinion does matter and will be heard.
We do commend Senate for their actions taken toward this motion at the last meeting. The senators discussed the motion and surplus at length, gathering and exchanging information about the topic. A few senators brought up that Senate should not vote on the topic until they both have every senator understand the issue as best they can, and until they get more student input on an important issue.
This is exactly what Senate should be doing: gathering information and facts, and also input from students.
We hope this is something which Senate will continue to do.
We urge the new Senate to remember the fact that they represent the 6,000 some students at UWRF and continue having discussion and policies which benefit all of the students enrolled at the University.
After the first meeting, Senate, in our opinion, has started off on the right foot, and we hope that they can continue to work in this manner for the duration of the 76th session.