Students should help choose budget cuts

As students of this University, we ought to always ask “why?” We are each here because we seek understanding and care deeply for the University’s continued success and sustained improvement.

For this reason, whenever a decision that could affect our University and its students is made, we should always ask “why?” until we understand. We should ask this question of our administrators, our professors and our student leaders.

On Thursday, the Senate of College Councils will introduce legislation reiterating its desire for formalized student input in budget decisions happening at the college and departmental levels, partly in response to the cut of the Vietnamese foreign language program. The decision to cut the Vietnamese program has proven controversial, and we would like to explain why the Senate is responding the way it is.

We, as members of the Senate of College Councils, could respond by expressing our support for the program, but as cuts are made across campus, it would be impossible for us to educate ourselves adequately regarding the multitude of considerations made by every department across campus. For this reason, we are instead calling on administrators to incorporate sustained and formalized student involvement in decisions that minimize the academic opportunities available for students.

This will allow students knowledgeable in specific matters to offer their insight and opinion regarding the decisions that will impact the quality of their education at this University.

Additionally, the legislation will call for administrators to explain why a program is cut whenever such a cut is decided upon. The reasons for cutting a valuable program are sure to be complex and varied, but students should never be left asking “why?”

Budget cuts will continue to occur, and tough decisions will continue to be made. Students should know what went into making these tough decisions.

It is unlikely that every student could agree on every course of action the University takes, but as students invested in the success of this institution, we deserve to know all of the facts that go into making the painful decision to cut academic programs that impact the quality of our education.

If passed, this legislation will specifically advocate that any cut in academic offerings be accompanied by an explanation to the student body.

We understand that tough decisions are being made at every level of this campus. However, the decision-making process must be made more transparent. It must involve students, and it must offer students every opportunity to educate themselves in the complexity of the decisions at hand.

This Senate resolution seeks to make it easier for students to find answers to the “why” questions surrounding budget decisions. Just as importantly, it aims to give students a spot at the decision-making table, allowing them the opportunity to help find answers to these questions rather than just asking them.

Throughout these tough economic times, the Senate of College Councils remains committed to representing students in all areas of academics and ensuring that no student voice is left unheard.

Additionally, the Senate welcomes all students who are interested in helping find answers to these questions to the presentation of this legislation at the Senate General Assembly meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Glenn Maloney Room on the ground floor of the Student Services Building.