Senate seeks influential role
(Editor's note: This is the last of two articles on the Student Senate. The first appeared in Tuesday's Kansan.)
BY ROBIN STEWART Kansan staff writer
After months of functioning as a "debating society," the Student Senate at last seems to be coming to grips with its duties.
The Senate finance and auditing committee has made a detailed examination of the $330,000 student activities fee budget. Members of the committee said allocations to many groups may be slashed to cover only office supplies. The budget still awaits Senate approval.
Other actions of the Student Senate this fall were the appointment of members to various committees within the senate and filling vacant positions of senate members who did not return to KU. The most notable vacancy was that of the vice-president, Frank Zilm, St. Louis senior, was elected interim vice-president to replace Marilyn Bowman, who was suspended from the University by the UDB for her actions at the Chancellor's ROTC Review last spring.
State Senator Reynolds Schultz attended one Student Senate meeting to answer questions concerning his obtaining the names of 21 students who had been privately disciplined by the University for their part in the cancellation of the Chancellor's Review.
Many resolutions have been under study in Student Senate committees, most of which have not yet been acted upon. Notable recommendations include establishment of an exchange bookstore, course and teacher rating, increased funds to Watkins Hospital and investigation of the possibility of a separate out-patient clinic, guidelines on student dissent, procedure for student referendums and establishment of an off-campus housing rating commission. Another resolution favored a summer tutor camp for disadvantaged students entering the University.
Peter George, Tuckahoe, N.Y. graduate student and president of the Student Senate Executive Committee, said theStudent Senate has done a fair job but has not been as effective as it should be. He said the Student Senate is both a debating society and a media to bring about change; both are essential, but a balance is needed.
George listed several problems facing the young senate. He said one problem is the time involved in Student Senate operations. This problem has resulted in members' quitting and a tremendous absentee record, he said.
George suggested that members be given three hours of academic credit each semester so that they would be able to spend more time on senate work.
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George said another problem plaguing the senate was committee organization.
"The committees are taking too long in becoming organized," George said. "Moving student elections from April to January would allow committees to become organized before summer vacations."
A problem involving both the Student Senate and the University Senate is the difference in outlook between faculty and students. George said that since faculty members were at the University for longer periods of time than students, they tended to take longer to act on issues. George said some issues should be considered with less delay.
William M. Balfour, dean of student affairs, said that although he thought the senate was doing well, he thought the main problem was that committees were not being used as effectively as they could be.
"The whole group is trying to get information and react to every issue in front of the Student Senate," Balfour said. "More of this work should be directed to committees."
He said that more committees might be needed to make committee structure more effective.
Dave Awbrey, Hutchinson senior
and student body president.
(Continued to page 11)
Eight Thirty-Seven Massachusetts
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