Representatives from the Hill expressed their opposition
Wednesday to the proposed student union fee increase in a joint
meeting with the undergraduate student government.
The On Campus Housing Council and the Undergraduate Students
Association Council held a special meeting to discuss the proposed
Associated Students of UCLA student union fee increase.
As the proposal stands pending approval, the current $7.50 fee
would increase $12 per year beginning in Fall 2006. When the fee
reaches $55 in 2010, it would be indexed for inflation
annually.
OCHC maintains that a fee increase would be unfairly subsidized
by on-campus housing residents. OCHC members argue that as housing
fees continue to rise, it is unfair to raise a fee that primarily
will not be utilized by their constituency.
While the specific allocations of the revenue from the proposed
increase have not yet been determined, ASUCLA has expressed plans
to renovate the Bombshelter and the Cooperage eateries, increase
programming space, and raise student wages.
With a variety of dining options on the Hill, the 7,000
on-campus residents are far less likely than other students to
utilize ASUCLA restaurants.
Paul Marian, OCHC’s representative to USAC, stressed that
the on-campus Housing Master Plan ““ which sparked the
construction of new residence halls to make the Hill a four-year
community ““ will only continue to decrease use of the ASUCLA
restaurants.
UCLA operates the only student-controlled student union in the
UC system, and ASUCLA has fees comparably lower than other
campuses’ student associations.
Jenny Wood, USAC general representative, said that though USAC
is a branch of ASUCLA, council members are only trying to present
the pros to others, as the association is presenting them, and are
yet to make a decision as to whether they support the increase or
not.
USAC fears that if a fee referendum is not passed, the planned
renovations will still take place, but student control will be
lost. Their fear stems from an agreement made with the university
10 years ago.
In the face of bankruptcy, ASUCLA took out an emergency $20
million loan from the university in 1995 to renovate Ackerman
Union.
As a result of a subsequent agreement, termed the Statement of
Understanding, the chancellor now has veto power over the ASUCLA
budget. In addition, if the association is found not to be
financially viable, he can appoint administrators to the Board of
Directors, ending student input in the association.
Having discussed the potential fee hike, OCHC determined that
the increase isn’t in their residents’ best interests
unless ASUCLA agrees to raise the value of on-campus meal
vouchers.
“For every swipe we spend on campus, when you go the
Bombshelter or any other restaurant, you get $1.60 for that meal
swipe. OCHC would like it doubled to $3.00″ Marian said.
“We see this as the only type of mitigation possible,
seeing as with the fee increase, the biggest burden will be borne
by on-campus people” he said.
OCHC councilmembers said they have not been contacted by the
ASUCLA Board of Directors regarding the proposed fee increase and
that they have been unable to get in contact with the board to
raise their concerns.
“We are a little bit apprehensive of the fact that they
weren’t looking for any input whatsoever from the Hill before
they finalize the proposal” said Brad Stauber, OCHC
chairman.
Bob Williams, interim executive director of ASUCLA, said the
board hasn’t taken the proposal to any student groups yet
because the details aren’t finalized.
“Our initial step is to get all the Board of Directors to
approve some fee referendums and fee languages. Until that step is
completed we haven’t really begun any outreach to student
groups,” Williams said.
“If (OCHC) will wait for a couple more weeks to finalize
our details, we’ll be coming to see them and hear their
input” he said.
Stauber said the council is flexible on its stipulation that
ASUCLA must raise the value of meal vouchers if OCHC is to support
the referendum.
“We’re just saying that if the residents are going
to be paying for this increase, they need something in
return,” he said.
Williams stated that ASUCLA will be appealing to student groups
in the coming weeks to gain their support and educate students
about the effects the fee increase will have.
“We’re not trying to keep anyone out of the
process” Williams said.
Neither USAC nor OCHC has made a formal decision regarding the
proposed referendum. OCHC plans to discuss the matter further and
make a decision on their endorsement next Tuesday.
“Ultimately it’s in the hands of the
students,” said Darren Chan, USAC internal
vice-president.