Driftwood The community newspaper of the University of New Orleans
Volume: 58 Issue: 23
April 15, 2015
driftwood.uno.edu
What’s Inside:
Get to know Dean of Engineering Emir Jose Marcari Macari shares his journey to UNO and his plans for the department page 3
Find out our view on the $384 Student Self-Assessed Fee Is SG’s proposed fee the answer to cuts to higher education? page 5
New proposed fees need student approval to move forward Clean the Lake project is a success
The Honors Council’s annual community service event is met with enthusiasm page 8
UNO Track and Field team continues to shine The team completes multiple top-10 finishes at the McNeese State Springtime Classic page 10
Rebekah Bell Driftwood Staff The University of New Orleans budget is in need of help, and the Student Government is taking action. Cuts to Louisiana’s higher education budget have chipped away at UNO for the last several years. A larger threat of an 82 percent cut to the state appropriations is upon us. If passed by the state, UNO’s budget would shrink from $28 million to just $5 million. In an effort to counteract the loss, UNO’s Student Government (SG) has developed a Student Self-Assessed Fee (SSAF) plan that would allow students to take the matter into their hands. Based on a collaborative idea from fellow senators, SG executives and other schools, this plan—if ap-
proved by the Louisiana System Board— would require students to pay $384 per semester to raise an annual 7.6 million dollars. The fee would be included in the student annual estimated cost and would raise the amounts of grants and loans accordingly. Any Federal Student Financial Aid or scholarships that currently cover fees would also cover this fee as well. To come up with the exact dollar amount, a student budget committee consisting of members from Student Government, athletes, Greek life, and dean appointees from every college carefully weighed the needs across the campus into nine categories: Academics Fee- $130 to cover anticipated expenditures in the children’s library, lab and departmental supplies, Tocqueville project speakers, musical excursions and Ein-
stein Week. Digital Infrastructure Fee: $50 to cover anticipated expenditures in software, PC’s for on-campus computer labs and projectors and a/v materials. Student Experience Fee: $10 to cover anticipated expenditures in First Year interest groups, Privateer Camp and other programming efforts. Student Physical and Mental Health Fee: $1 to cover anticipated expenditures in intramural sports supplies, departmental student workers and outreach programming. Athletics Fee: $55 to cover anticipated expenditures in travel and lodging, uniforms, equipment and athletic programming. Maintenance and Beautification Fee:
$50 to cover anticipated expenditures in campus cleanups, amphitheater renovation, general campus beautification, sidewalk drainage, lighting fixtures and building maintenance. Student involvement and Leadership Fee: $2 to cover anticipated expenditures in student organization resource center, leadership retreat, Service Coalition days and leadership recognition ceremonies. Learning Commons Fee: $1 to cover anticipated expenditures in scantrons, blue books and other testing supplies as well as student workers. Operations Fee: $85 to cover anticipated expenditures in homecoming, Annual Crawfish Boil, Campus-wide programming, Fees continued on Page 2...
How do you feel about the proposed Student Self-Assessed Fee plan? Brionnah Williams Freshman, Theatre
“I don’t like the student Self Assessed Fee Plan. I believe that students shouldn’t have to pay extra. We are already paying a lot of money to the student government.”
Erin Bourgeois Freshman, English
“I cannot afford to pay an extra $384 besides tuition.”
Ashley Borel Freshman, Film
“I find that this can raise a lot of questions, asking for students to pay extra could be a red flag in today’s economy, especially if they don’t see exactly where their money is going.”
Nick Matta Sophomore, Secondary Education “One of UNO’s selling points was its affordability while maintaining a high standard of education. This takes away from that and therefore I am not happy with this proposal. However, with the lack of funding the school has received from the state. I understand the intention. This is a symptom of a bigger problem.”
Josiah Berger Freshman, Film
“I find it #bogus.”