2008 Woodie Awards
SGA and GSS officials sign agreement with administration
Mike Fox, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: News
Celebration and controversy marked last night's Student Government Association Senate meeting.
The meeting began with a ceremony in which leaders of both the SGA and Graduate Student Senate signed the official agreement between the administration and the United Student Action Coalition.
Former trustee Ruth Thompson reiterated the often mentioned gains of the student strike such as, more funding for outreach programs, a committee to address police interaction with students on campus and a "politicized campus and institutionalized negotiations."
GSS president Jeff Napolitano stated that while gains were made, "the issues of affordability and accessibility are still problems." He added that the state is still, "not blissful, even though Chancellor Cole listens. Students deserve more."
When asked to clarify, he cited the continued issues of high tuition and student fees. In regards to the effect that economic conditions have over the cost of college education, he recognized the fact that not much more could be done on the University of Massachusetts campus as long as the administration keeps to its word. He called on a need for the consolidation of student groups and resources in order to target the issue on the state and federal levels, citing the War on Iraq as one of the many drains of funding.
Former SGA President Aaron Buford and current President Malcolm Chu praised the cross-collaboration during the strike and that another strike wouldn't be necessary unless the SGA disagreed.
Chu called this year, "One of the most amazing in activism," but that the SGA would, "be ready to struggle if it had to."
Regarding the issue of asking for a decrease in student fees asking for more support of student services, Chu stated that, "the money being promised by the administration will come from a reprioritization of the budget. There will be a greater push for priority of student initiated activities over capital projects."
However he did acknowledge that the demands of the strike that were met were addressed before fees have been reevaluated. He repeated the claims of Napolitano, stating that more statewide organization will be necessary to address the issues of fees in front of the UMass Board of Trustees.
Towards the end of the meeting, Senator Shaun Robinson and President Chu advanced a motion pertaining to the Jason Vassell incident on February 3rd. The motion sought to recognize the act against Jason as a hate crime and for the University to pursue criminal action against his assailants. Senator Derek Khanna voiced opposition to the bill, stating that, "it would be poor form in a court trial to sponsor language showing support for one person in such a serious legal matter."
Chu said," I stand firmly behind supporting a member of our community. Our responsibility is to rally behind Jason and I personally believe that hate crimes can not be tolerated."
Mike Fox can be reached mfox@student.umass.edu
The meeting began with a ceremony in which leaders of both the SGA and Graduate Student Senate signed the official agreement between the administration and the United Student Action Coalition.
Former trustee Ruth Thompson reiterated the often mentioned gains of the student strike such as, more funding for outreach programs, a committee to address police interaction with students on campus and a "politicized campus and institutionalized negotiations."
GSS president Jeff Napolitano stated that while gains were made, "the issues of affordability and accessibility are still problems." He added that the state is still, "not blissful, even though Chancellor Cole listens. Students deserve more."
When asked to clarify, he cited the continued issues of high tuition and student fees. In regards to the effect that economic conditions have over the cost of college education, he recognized the fact that not much more could be done on the University of Massachusetts campus as long as the administration keeps to its word. He called on a need for the consolidation of student groups and resources in order to target the issue on the state and federal levels, citing the War on Iraq as one of the many drains of funding.
Former SGA President Aaron Buford and current President Malcolm Chu praised the cross-collaboration during the strike and that another strike wouldn't be necessary unless the SGA disagreed.
Chu called this year, "One of the most amazing in activism," but that the SGA would, "be ready to struggle if it had to."
Regarding the issue of asking for a decrease in student fees asking for more support of student services, Chu stated that, "the money being promised by the administration will come from a reprioritization of the budget. There will be a greater push for priority of student initiated activities over capital projects."
However he did acknowledge that the demands of the strike that were met were addressed before fees have been reevaluated. He repeated the claims of Napolitano, stating that more statewide organization will be necessary to address the issues of fees in front of the UMass Board of Trustees.
Towards the end of the meeting, Senator Shaun Robinson and President Chu advanced a motion pertaining to the Jason Vassell incident on February 3rd. The motion sought to recognize the act against Jason as a hate crime and for the University to pursue criminal action against his assailants. Senator Derek Khanna voiced opposition to the bill, stating that, "it would be poor form in a court trial to sponsor language showing support for one person in such a serious legal matter."
Chu said," I stand firmly behind supporting a member of our community. Our responsibility is to rally behind Jason and I personally believe that hate crimes can not be tolerated."
Mike Fox can be reached mfox@student.umass.edu
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