Spring Break
Union denounces admin's decision
by Miranda Neubauer
Senior Writer
News | 12/4/07
Posted online at 10:50 PM EST on 12/3/07
/ Last updated at 6:22 PM EST on 12/3/07
The Student Union protested the administration's decision to accept Student Events' proposal to receive its funding directly from the Department of Student Activities with a rally in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium last Sunday night.
Another protest will be held Thursday in front of the administrative complex, Director of Union Affairs Jason Gray '10 said. "It's no longer about Student Events," he said. "It's about the administration not caring about the student body."
The proposal to receive 17 percent of the SAF-1 percent of each student's tuition bill-was accepted by Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Jean Eddy Nov. 26.
The Union submitted a written proposal to Student Events last Monday that outlined a compromise on this issue, Union President Shreeya Sinha '09 said. Sinha wouldn't disclose details of the proposal until Student Events responded.
While the Union calls Student Events' proposal unconstitutional and detrimental to the ideas of student autonomy and financial oversight, Student Events representatives said that bypassing the Finance Board will allow them to react faster, along with more flexibility and have more time to spend on event planning. The changes will be implemented this coming January for the start of next semester. Eddy declined to comment after multiple requests from the Justice.
Student Union Executive Board members and senators organized an informational event last Sunday evening on the controversy in the Shapiro Campus Center in place of an originally scheduled pep rally for former President Bill Clinton's visit to campus last Monday. Union officials encouraged students to sign a banner posing the question, "Should the Administration be able to Allocate your money?" as well as to sign petitions and letters addressed to Eddy.
"I believe in student autonomy, and I believe that the money that I pay to the Student Activities Fund should end up coming back to me as it is declared it should by the regulations that up until now [the] University has adhered to," said Adam Zemel '11, who signed his name on the banner. Some who signed the banner alluded to the American Revolution, quoting lines such as "No Taxation Without Representation" and "Don't Tread on Me."
Another protest will be held Thursday in front of the administrative complex, Director of Union Affairs Jason Gray '10 said. "It's no longer about Student Events," he said. "It's about the administration not caring about the student body."
The proposal to receive 17 percent of the SAF-1 percent of each student's tuition bill-was accepted by Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Jean Eddy Nov. 26.
The Union submitted a written proposal to Student Events last Monday that outlined a compromise on this issue, Union President Shreeya Sinha '09 said. Sinha wouldn't disclose details of the proposal until Student Events responded.
While the Union calls Student Events' proposal unconstitutional and detrimental to the ideas of student autonomy and financial oversight, Student Events representatives said that bypassing the Finance Board will allow them to react faster, along with more flexibility and have more time to spend on event planning. The changes will be implemented this coming January for the start of next semester. Eddy declined to comment after multiple requests from the Justice.
Student Union Executive Board members and senators organized an informational event last Sunday evening on the controversy in the Shapiro Campus Center in place of an originally scheduled pep rally for former President Bill Clinton's visit to campus last Monday. Union officials encouraged students to sign a banner posing the question, "Should the Administration be able to Allocate your money?" as well as to sign petitions and letters addressed to Eddy.
"I believe in student autonomy, and I believe that the money that I pay to the Student Activities Fund should end up coming back to me as it is declared it should by the regulations that up until now [the] University has adhered to," said Adam Zemel '11, who signed his name on the banner. Some who signed the banner alluded to the American Revolution, quoting lines such as "No Taxation Without Representation" and "Don't Tread on Me."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Michael Schakow '01, MA '01
posted 12/05/07 @ 7:54 AM EST
Dear Justice,
There is an error in this report, one which is critical to understanding why Jean Eddy has exceeded her authority and contravened the Board of Trustees. (Continued…)
Alan Royals
posted 12/05/07 @ 11:21 AM EST
Editorials in both major newspapers have opposed this.
Michael Goldman opposed this in a recent Gold Standard.
I, a former senator and longtime opposer of the current executive office and senate, oppose this. (Continued…)
Bill
posted 12/06/07 @ 1:31 AM EST
This story says it all about the current state of the Brandeis Student Union. After a semester of infighting, petty political maneuvering and power struggle--effectively telling the student body they care more about their internal workings than the student body--they are only mobilizing resources and attempting to affect change when their own authority is being chipped away. (Continued…)
Student Events
posted 12/06/07 @ 11:47 PM EST
Hi, I'm Student Events. This is really my fault because I'm just jealous of all other programming groups on campus. I'm pissed I can't get people to come to my events. (Continued…)
Jean
posted 12/07/07 @ 1:25 PM EST
Your welcome, Student Events.
I have no problem ignoring the students who voted, and I am looking forward to helping you plan your events.
Sincerely,
Jean
Post a Comment