Union task force mulls over 'piss-poor' options

"I think student fees and academic bonding are both piss-poor options," said Committee Chairman Michael McCoy.

The task force debated funding options as they ironed out wrinkles in a six-page student-compiled Presidential Task Force report on funding ideas to present to Associated Students President Gilbert Davidson next week.

"Asking students to give even more money to the university is a highly unpopular notion," a draft of the report stated. "Student fees should be used as a last resort, to be utilized if and when all other options have been eliminated."

About 72 percent of UA student voters in November responded with a resounding "no" to a $40-per-semester tuition increase that would have funded Student Union renovations. A record 4,413 students turned out to cast ballots for the issue that would have funded $31.5 million of the $70 million Student Union renovation.

Student fees actually go against ASUA's constitution, Associated Students Sen. Summer Katzenbach said.

"We're wary about fees because it may set a precedent against a mandate in ASUA's constitution," she said.

"I am not convinced that a fee is in any way necessary and would like to understand what control students will have," committee member Adam Talenfeld said.

Committee member Justin Cliford said the task force document implies that students want to work more closely with the administration to fund the Student Union.

"We can't do it ourselves - and neither can they," McCoy said.

Cliford said academic bonding is the only option now that students defeated the referendum. The UA has $25 million in academic bonds set aside to renovate the Student Union.

"The one thing that is so frustrating about academic bonding is that it is so theoretical," said University Activities Board President Caitlein Ryan. "It's almost like asking, 'What is the meaning of life?'"

Cliford said bonding is like a charge account that allows universities to go into debt.

"It's essentially giving the university a credit card," said Cliford, "but once the university uses the credit card, someone has to pay it back."

McCoy said academic bonding will increase tuition or decrease student funding.

"My recommendation (to the administration) is that they research all of the funding options - bonding and student fees - and make sure that all of the documentation is there and see how it will affect the situation," Cliford said.

The question of whether the Student Union needs renovation seemed to be a moot point last night. The UA's 47-year-old Student Union violates fire codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act, McCoy said.

"The Student Union is in pretty piss-poor shape," he said.