K
The Paisaiio Volume 1, Number 2
January 27, 1981
Ronnie Garcia presides over SRA meeting.
SRA Funding Plans Spark Complaints During the first two meetings of the spring semester, the Student Representative Assembly accepted the resignations of four of its members and engaged in heated debates over budgetary matters. The resignations were called for by members of the SRA in lieu of initiating impeachment proceedings against Mary Ann Redgate, Freshman Representative, and Eddie Elizondo, Senior Representative. The action was prompted by the pair's repeated unexcused absences at weekly S ( ^ meetings. Two additional vacancies were realized at the second SRA meeting, January 21st, when Carol Tidd, Graduate R e p r e s e n t a t i v e , resigned because of personal obligations and Gary Herring, Freshman Representative, changed enrollment from UTSA to SAC. Aside from the acceptance of resignations, SRA members also called for a vote on the motion to allocate $2000 to a committee ultimately responsi ble for disbursement to student organizations. This committee was temporarily established last semester to mve^tigate the possiblity of making SRA money available to registered student organizations and clubs. The committee proposed a set of twelve guidelines which were passed at this second 9
The guidelines specify who is eligible to receive SRA funding. Only one of the twelve guidelines limits the amount of money that would go to any one organization. Ramon Valdez, who led the unsuccessful opposition to the resolution stated, "Any group that gains control of the SRA effectively gains control of the entire $2000 to use for their own purposes." Opposition to the allocation of SRA funds to other organizations also stems from the fact that $2466.83 has yet to be raised and is, in effect, not currently in any SRA bank account. The SRA budget is based on $15,000 provided by the university and a projected $4000 income from various projects. The SRA sfiows a current balance of $4729.11 of which $2466.83 is anticipated income. This would, in effect, leave $2262.28 actual cash on hand from which the proposed $2000 would be taken. A balance of $262.28 would remain for all other SRA purposes including Fiesta UTSA scheduled for sometime this spring. After an hour of heated, tumultuous debate, the resolution passed despite arguments such as the one made by Penny Smiley, editor of the SRA bulletin, who stormed, .taking ^ $300 put of my
budget will mean that I can't print them (bulletins)...." It was during this time that an exchange erupted between Kevin McConmick, Treasurer and Ramon Valdez, Parliamentarian. This resulted from an allegation by McCormick that Valdez was arbitrarily changing the rules. McCormick's allegation was in reference to the fact that last semester, amotion was made to transfer $500 from, the University Life Awards account to the Movies account. However, at the January 14th meeting, the anrxHint of nrraney to be transferred was reduced from $500 to only $65. The motion was made and passed at that time without waiting the required week. At this point, various remarks from everal SRA members were heard (without regard to parliamentary procedure) concerning the debate. The questiori before the floor was whether voting should take place at this meeting when the resolution to allocate the $2000 had just been formally introduced and the required week had not elapsed. Valdez contended that voting should be tabled until the next SRA meeting 6ut McCormick and Joseph Zaher, Recording Secretary, among others, insisted that the vote be taken. A vote on whether or not to vote on the resolution was then taken and passed. Leigh Perry, a student spectator, was then recognized by Ronnie Garcia, SRA Presient, and commented. vote to take a vote! You all remind me of M-I C-K-E-Y M O USE!"
TheSRAcL rently has four vacancies. Positions are open for two freshmen, one s e n i o r and o n e graduate representative. Students interested in occupying these positions are required to file at the Dean of Students office by February 4.
San Antonio, Texas 78215
Dorm Proposition Nearing Reality A major step toward the building of student housing on the UTSA campus was taken by President James Wagener last week with the announcement of a new committee r*-vged with establishing a Program or Need Statement. This committee will serve in an advisory capacity to the President and will prepare a report outlining basic considerations of any proposed student housing. Committee members are Mrs. J a n e Duckworth, Executive Assistant to the Dean of Students; Julie Fields, a junior biology major; Dr. Carolyn Kessler, Associate Professor, BiculturalBilingual Studies; Chris Rodgers, a junior English major; Jo Ann Ruiz, a sophomore chemistry major; Dr. Joel Saegert, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs; Bob Tramontano, a sophomore management and marketing major; and Dr. William D. Litz inger. Professor and Director, Division of Marketing and Management. According to Mrs. Duckworth, President Wagener specifically outlined several questions to be considered by this committee. These questions deal, in part, with the style of housing that would rnost effectively satisfy student needs. These vary from apartmentstyle units to suite arrangements and other dormitoy type housing.
A second consideration would be the size of the housing units effecting the most desirable square footage per occupant arrangement. According to Mrs. Duckworth the magnitude of initial need, a third consideration, is relatively more difficult to set. One would need a "crystal ball" to estimate the number of students initially needing campus student housing. In a report published in a 1979 issue of the UTSA Roadrunner, data showed that sixteen percent of UTSA students were interested in living in university dormitories. Currently, there are no figures available to substantiate those findings nor to determine eun even greater need. The fourth consideration outlined by Dr. Wagener is in the area of sujf)port services. Mrs. Duckworth explained, "These services are those that arc most desirable and feasible, i.e. eating facilities, laundry facilities, vending machines, telephones, reception areas, television reception, perhaps, even computer communication for those students who may need to do some programming continued on page 6 |:;Fbrmer S e c r e t a r y 6*. ijjState Edmund Musliic^ jijlvill present a lecture^ jjitonight a t 7:30 p . m . ai jijrinity University's^ ::i.aurle Auditorium. Ad-i;
SRA members a n d Mrs. Jane Ducinvortii listen t o fun' ding proposal.