Senate proposes resolution to gain student input on budget

In the first meeting of the new Senate of College Councils assembly, the senators explored a resolution supporting further student input in the budgetary process.

“In Support of Student Involvement and Transparency in Reductions to Academic Opportunities” addresses concerns that students were not included in the process that led to the cutting of all Vietnamese language classes.

This cut was announced last week, and students have already responded with a petition that has received more than 2,000 signatures and a Student Government resolution in support of exploring alternative solutions.

“We recognize that this cut is being made at the department level, but this is only going to be one of many because of the budget situation currently facing UT,” policy director David Liu said while presenting the legislation.

The resolution acknowledges that budget cuts are necessary and states that the University should consider ways to solicit student input at college and departmental levels in the decision-making process. It also requests that administrators provide a public explanation of reasons for each cut that is made. Senate President Chelsea Adler said she hopes that if the resolution passes, it will help spur students to explore lobbying options during the legislative session in Spring 2011.

“My hope for all this is that this energy and mobilization and momentum will get built up for January, so we can go to the [legislature] and say this is a problem,” Adler said. “We’re cutting entire programs because we’re not getting enough money for the state.”
The Senate will vote on the resolution at its next meeting on April 29.