WEDNESDAY,OCT.31,2001
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Senate considers student fee hike
By Luke Daley Kansan staff writer
In an effort to create more revenues for student organizations, Student Senate members are discussing a student activity fee increase for next year.
If Senate approves the fee increase of $3 per semester for the student activity fee beginning in the Fall of 2002, the Board of Regents would still have to approve the fee, said Adam Obley, Finance Committee chairman.
Students now pay $17 per semester for the fee with their tuition. Student Senate allocates money from the fee to student organizations on campus.
Because some senators are concerned Senate might not have enough money for all of the groups asking for money they proposed raising the activity fee.
Student Fees
Members of the campus fee review subcommittee met on Monday to discuss how much to increase the fee, and decided the increase should be $3 per semester.
Senate says raising one student activity fee will give more money to student organizations.
STUDENT CAMPUS FEE STUDENT FEES FOR 2001 PROJECTIONS FOR 2002
Student Senate Activity Fee $17 $20
Environmental Improvement Fee $1 $1
Student Union Fee $40 $40
Student Health Fee $86 $92
Child Care Facility Construction Fee $4 $4
Women's and Non-Revenue $20 $20
Intercollegiate Sports Fee $28 $62
Student Recreation Fee $3 $3
Student Media Fee $2 $2
Campus Safety Fee $6 $6
Educational Opportunity Fee $16 $16
Campus Transportation Fee $6 $6
Legal Services for Students Fee Not Billed $6.50
Newspaper Readership Fee
TOTALS: $229.00 $278.50
Justin Mills, student body president said a $3 increase might be too high. Yet he said it was important to have enough money available to student groups.
The increase would give Senate an estimated additional $150,000 a year to allocate to student groups.
"I think every group deserves Senate money," Mills said. "It just depends on how much they get."
Matt Steppe, Student Legislative Awareness Board director, said he didn't want to see a large increase in the activity fee but would be more open to
Melissa Carr/KANSAN
an increase of $1 per semester.
He said Senate should take a more conservative spending approach if going over budget was a concern.
Kit Brauer, Association of University Residence Halls senator, said the $3 increase would not be like increasing other fees because the money taken
from the student activity fee went back to the students.
to the students. "This is way different than a tuition increase," Brauer said. "When fees are increased for Student Senate, it goes right back into student groups."
Contact Daley at 864-4810
HAIRY POTTER
ANTHONY REYES/KANSAM
A stuffed bear at the Natural History Museum in Dyce Hall is dressed up as a wizard for Halloween. Members of the public education department at the museum decorated all the taxidermied bears on the first floor in different costumes.
Alternative breaks give students chance to travel, help others
By Paul Smith Kansan staff writer
During spring break, Jessi Mester chose caring for AIDS patients over a ski trip, and that decision two years ago changed her life and broadened her world view.
While in New Orleans volunteering on an Alternative Break, Mester spet Spencer, a man with
AIDS who walked on his own one day, but was bedridden the next.
"Spencer died the week after we left," said the Topeka senior. "Alternative Breaks make you realize there's more to the world than your safe little bubble."
Alternative Break programs at universities nationwide offer student volunteers service-learning
opportunities in numerous locations.
The student-run program at the University of Kansas has expanded its trip offerings for spring break in March, and applications to serve will only be accepted for another two weeks.
Kendra Seaman, Wichita senior and co-director of the Alternative Break program, said four
more trip options were available for this spring than last year, bringing the total number to 18.
bringing the total workforce Trips range from working with the homeless in Maine or Washington, D.C. volunteering at a migrant community outreach center in Texas, to environmental restoration in Oregon.
"We're trying to open it up to as many people as possible. to let
everyone who wants to go. go," Seaman said, adding that the number of students on each team
—typically seven—and the number of trips is flexible.
The application process involves a written application, a $50 deposit and an interview with other students. If selected, $130 covers food, lodging and transportation fees and prospective
volunteers must enroll in a weekly course that can be taken for no credit, or either one or two credits hours.
"There's no other program at the University where you learn so much about the world around you in such a short amount of time," Mester said.
Contact Smith at 864-4810