Appropriations Board grants several clubs' funding requests

Student lobbyists are planning to rally at the state Legislature later this month for improved funding for higher education, ASUA President Ray Quintero announced at last night's senate meeting.

The March 26 rally, which is part of the Arizona Students' Association "Failing Our Future" campaign, is open to students, faculty and administration.

ASA is a student lobbyist organization that is focusing on university issues including a lack of funding for education, low faculty salaries, the negative effects that poor education brings to the economy and education as a whole, Quintero said.

ASA lobbyists have also said that they oppose a tuition increase as an option to offset millions in state-mandated budget cuts.

Quintero is hoping to receive support from the administration once they see where the students are coming from, despite Provost George Davis' recent statement that he would likely support a tuition hike of $1,500 over the next three to five years.

The Appropriations Board granted the Society of Civil Engineers' request for $1,160 to cover traveling and hotel accommodations for the 2002 Pacific Southwest Regional Conference.

The three-day conference, in Irvine, Calif., will allow the society to compete with 12 other groups in their region in events ranging from a steel bridge competition to concrete horseshoes.

If the society does well enough, it could move on to face competition at the national level.

After a long struggle, Alternative Spring Breaks was approved $100 for future advertising. The group has had to struggle to find funds for their philanthropic spring break trips.

ASUA is not allowed to sponsor events that include community service or philanthropic events of any kind.

Sen. Doug Hartz is working to amend the state's constitution so that ASUA is able to back funding for educational philanthropic events.

The Bicycle Seat Relief Club - which aids UA students who have been victims of bicycle theft - was also approved for $121.60 in startup funds.

Five ASUA officials will be present tonight when results from the general election are revealed.

The senate approved Talianna Kattan, elections commissioner, Jennie Corallo, assistant elections commissioner, Ray Quintero, president, Khaled Sleiman, computer specialist and Claudia Davila, adviser, to be present.