AIMing To Speak With Your President
“In order to facilitate and enhance communication with all students, I have set up an instant messaging screen name through AOL AIM,” announced acting President Tuan Pham. Students can now bring any concerns they have directly to their president by adding UMBSGAPresident to their contacts list if they use AIM.
“I hope students will use this, in addition to phone and e-mail to contact me. [email protected] 617-287-7970.”
All Quiet on the Budget Front
The Student Senate unanimously approved the 2003-2004 Undergraduate Student Government budget last week after the Budget and Finance Committee reviewed the budget proposal they rejected the week before.
The previous budget met with strong opposition from a number of senators for including a move to split the position of Network Administrator in two, thereby splitting the funding allotted to the position. Questions were also raised about the possibility of saving money by reducing the staff at the Office of Student Life.
The latest incarnation of the budget preserves the position of Network Administrator and leaves the staff at Student Life unchanged.
Approval of the budget requires a majority vote at two full senate meetings. Final approval of the budget should take place during next week’s senate meeting.
The revenue for the Undergraduate Student Government budget comes from the Student Activities Fee, a mandatory charge that every undergraduate pays. The total revenue, after accounting for an administrative overcharge and waivers, comes to nearly $440,000.
This money is funneled into a variety of causes, including the staff at Student Life and the Harbor Art Gallery. Funding for activities and events held by Student Centers, clubs, and the Student Senate comes from this source as well.
Separate, voluntary fees can also be paid by students to support organizations such as The Mass Media and MassPIRG, which is a separate entity from the clubs here on campus — though they are undoubtedly affiliated.
Ed Hayward Speaks Out for a Campus United
Ed Hayward, Associate Vice Chancellor for University Communications attended last week’s Student Senate meeting and spoke in support for Public Higher Education Made Personal, the letter-writing campaign that took place recently.
“They will read the personal letter. They’ll read the personal letter over the form letter. They want to see the person on the other side,” stated Hayward.
“Take some time. Write those letters. Get them out there.”
During his talk with the senate, Hayward also urged students to visit the UMB homepage (click on the “A Campus United” link) to learn more about how students might be affected by the budget cuts and Governor Romney’s reorganization plan.
The website includes such facts as:* Since 1988, the percentage of state tax revenues received by UMass Boston has dropped by about one-third. If the campus should suffer the proposed cuts of $11 million next year, UMass Boston’s share of state tax revenues will have plummeted 41 percent in the last 15 years.
* Contrary to assertions by Gov. Romney’s education advisor Peter Nessen that UMass fees have risen too quickly, student charges (tuition and fees) increased by just 31 percent between 1992 and 2003.
* Eighty percent of UMass Boston graduates remain in Massachusetts after graduation and pursue their careers. No other university in Boston comes close to that contribution of human resources to Massachusetts communities and companies. Ed Hayward is responsible for planning and executing all public and media relations activities. He works directly with the local and national print media in generating stories about UMass Boston and also shares the duties of chief spokesman for the university, writing articles for campus publications, including the alumni magazine.