The Evergreen State College olympia, washington
Cooper Point Journal
Issue 17, Volume 38, March 5, 2009
New pressures
on S&A
decisions
by Jason SLotkin
The student-financed Services
and Activities (S&A ) money
serves as a pot that feeds the
budgets of various extracur-
ricular activities and services on
campus.
This weekend, the S&A board,
the students responsible for
allocating that money will have
to determine the size of that pot
for the next two years. They will
also have to decide if an increase
in the fee that every student pays
is necessary to keep this pot full.
The fund is already under
pressure from over $4.5 million
in requests over the next two
years from groups that have
received money from the S&A
pot before.
Now, both Student and
Academic Support Services
(SASS) and The Flaming
Eggplant, groups who were
previously financed elsewhere,
are now collectively seeking
nourishment of no less than
$100,000 a year from S&A.
The SASS proposal includes
nearly over $30,000 for student
positions in First People’s Advis-
ing Services, Academic Advis-
ing, and Key Services.
Not only are two new groups
seeking money from this fund,
but student enrollment is
expected to drop by close to 300
full time students over the next
two years: fewer students, fewer
people to pay into the pot.
Each of these full-time students
is currently estimated to pay
$499 in S&A fees.
S&A Board member Lucas
Shapiro says that these new
requests, alone, may not require
increases in student fees, but
admits they will have an impact
on the process.
“Funding them may mean
taking away enhancements from
other groups,” said Shapiro.
These requests are for money
that comes from the same pot
that also funds student groups at
Evergreen, and campus services
at the Tacoma and reservation
campus.
According to the budget
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proposal, SASS only intend to
seek funding temporarily–until it
can secure other funding.
However, according to Tom
Mercado, Director of student
Activities, historically, once a
group receives S&A money, it
continues to receive it. Both
KAOS and the Childcare Center
became S&A-funded groups
after making initial requests.
S&A must also decide if
they should continue funding
programs from previous years in S tudents voiced their opinions for and against SIMONE FOWLER
the same capacity. At least two of the rifle proposal at M onday ’ s forum .
Rifle forum separates
the returning groups–Childcare
Center and Athletics and Recre-
ation–are seeking additional
attendees’ by opinion
funding for new equipment and
staff positions.
At the most recent S&A Board
meeting, Andy Corn, S&A by Brian Fullerton Andrea Seabert, campus Griev- proposed funding, specifically for
Board advisor, told the student ance Officer and moderator of the the rifles, the 30 or so people who
board that “salaries and wages” forum, said that the aim of this attended the forum were asked to
comprise most of the returning Coinciding with the start of the forum was to “provide perspective group together in regards to how
budgets. campus-wide survey, the Police to the community review board.” they felt about the proposed fund-
The board must also make sure Services Community Review Board This open forum was structured ing. Those in complete favor of the
they have enough money to fund (PSCRB) conducted another open slightly differently from the previ- proposed funding were asked to
all approved requests and Shap- forum concerning the proposed ous PSCRB forums earlier this meet on the far side of A1105 and
iro feels that a raised S&A fee funding to give Police Services year. report back what they discussed on
may be needed to achieve this. access to AR-15 rifles, body armor, After short introductions in see FORUM page 3
He said they should avoid raising and active shooter training. support and opposed to the
the fee more than “necessary”.
Mercado said that past S&A
Vote “yes or no”
boards have often set aside the
amount of money which goes to
fund the operation of all student
groups and programs at the other
campuses before reviewing
budgets. At their planning meet-
ing, the S&A board decided to
Survey gauges students’ reactions to rifles
continue this practice.
The S&A Board is allowed to
proposed an increase in fees; by mark yates-white composed of students, faculty, pants a choice of two responses:
however, the percentage of any and staff, sent out the survey in either in support of or in opposi-
increase in fees cannot be greater The Police Services Community order to solicit responses from tion to the purchase of rifles,
than the increase in tuition: If Review Board (PSCRB) released students who hadn’t made it to safety gear, and ongoing training.
tuition is raised 7%, the S&A fee a very short survey on February the public forums held earlier in Respondents are also encouraged
cannot be raised more than 7%. 23 intended to further assess the year. to write a short explanation of
The S&A Board will come to a the opinions of students, staff, The survey, which will be avail-
tentative decision this weekend. and faculty on the recent rifle able for students to fill out until see SURVEY page 3
After that, all decisions will be proposal. The PSCRB, a group Monday, March 9, offers partici-
open for appeal before being
presented for the Board of Trust-
ees for approval. INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Jason Slotkin is a senior Outdoors&Recreation: An interview with Arts&Entertainment Will the Watchmen
enrolled in an independent learn- the Ultimate Frisbee captain. Page 5 work in another medium? Page 8
ing contract.
Calendar: Want to hang with a student Comics: Reinventing the wheel (and
group? Find out when they meet. Page 10 making it shinier). Page 18
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