By Joseph Altman Jr.
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Both Associated Students legislative bodies have agreed that a proposal to create a student fee advisory board will be put on the general election ballot in March.
The proposal states that two committees will make recommendations to the vice president of Student Affairs. An advisory board would deal with decisions regarding the usage of student fees, and an auxiliary board will guide the creation and utilization of auxiliary resources. Student fees account for $6.3 million each year.
Several changes were made in the proposal during discussion at a joint legislative meeting Wednesday, ASUA President T.J. Trujillo said.
The amendments include regulation of the four students on the board to include one undergraduate and one graduate student, changing the title from "board of trustees" to "board of advisors," and mandating a review of the structure of the board after a two-year period, said Berry Melfy, Trujillo's chief of staff.
The referendum was passed by the Undergraduate Senate by a vote of 3-2, with one senator abstaining. The Graduate and Professional Student Council passed the measure 13-1 with no abstentions.
Brad Milligan, Senate chairman, said several of the legislators voiced concerns over the power of the board.
"People wondered if it was enough student representation to decide where student fees go. We can put in all this effort and get vetoed anyway," Milligan said. "But it's a heck of a lot better than what we have going now."
The structure of the committee allows the board to make recommendations to Saundra Taylor, the vice president for Student Affairs, who would still have ultimate control of the student fees.
But Wende Julien, ASUA federal relations director, said she doubts Taylor would overrule the committee.
"Dr. Taylor has been very helpful in the planning stages of this and is very excited about this," Julien said.
Taylor could not be reached for comment over the weekend.
ASUA is campaigning for students to vote on the referendum. Milligan said people are beginning to speak to Greek houses and residence halls.
"It's a massive campaign to educate students to make sure they know what they're voting for," Milligan said. "The better the turnout, the more mandate this proposal will have."