With deep budget cuts from the state on their way, UW-L's administration has decided to cut its support for a number of student programs included under Academic Initiatives. Continued funding for Academic Initiatives, a broad category of programs serving student needs including those promoting student research, diversity and campus safety, international education, and student advising, is now at the mercy of the Student Senate. The Senate will vote today on whether to pick up the tab for these programs, adding charges to students' already fee-laden bills, or to allow the programs to lapse. Students were split on the issue, with some senators supporting funding the AIs and others concerned about increasing student fees. Erik Kahl, student senator and co-chair of the committee reviewing AIs, gave student senators a presentation on the committee's finds. Undergraduate research efforts have benefitted since AIs were authorized in 2003. "We keep seeing a steady increase" in requests for funding for undergrad research, as well as a doubling in submissions to the undergraduate research journal of UW-L, Kahl said. Under AIs UW-L has been able to recruit a more diverse student body, Kahl continued. The Violence Prevention Office and Disability Resource Services have also benefitted from AI money. Prior to Academic Initiatives, only 65 percent of students reported satisfaction with academic advising on campus. Today, that number has jumped to 95 percent, Kahl said. The number of students using the Academic Advising Center has also increased. In 2009 UW-L will have 450 international students enrolled, up from 160 in 2004. This brings in millions of dollars into the University, Kahl said. Academic Initiatives also help UW-L students study abroad. That number has jumped from 336 students in 2004 to 510 in 2008. The funding package includes an additional $170,000 for Murphy Library to fund increased hours and rising costs. There is also money to combine various tutoring centers and the writing center into a combined "Learning Center". Some students who supported the spending package were less than enthusiastic. "I can live with this...but it was a tough decision," said Eric Fuhrmann, who has stated his opposition to forcing students to pick up more costs than needed. "I was very frustrated that the University...wouldn't honor the match," said Student Association President Derek Kockler. "Every angle we look we're getting hit with another fee," he added, but said he's in support of the new spending because of the value of the programs. "One of our jobs is to do what's best for students," commented Senator Nick Cerwin. "I know we're going to be paying more... but we need these student programs." "I'm struggling a lot with this resolution," said Senator Jake Cox, arguing that while many programs have a lot of value, some make UW-L look good without actually making the campus better. Should the Senate vote to support continuing Academic Initiatives, all students will be charged $59.31 per semester. This is an increase from the current charge of $29.30 per semester. The hard choice by the Student Senate was forced on them when UW-L's administration decided to discontinue a dollar-for-dollar match agreed to by the University in 2003. "That was a commitment that was made by individuals that are no longer here," said Vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance Bob Hetzel. "We have never been able to fund the match," he added, saying his office has been scraping money together to fund the match since he took over the office last year. "We want students to feel good about getting the services and the support that they need to be successful," said Dean of Students Paula Knudson. "The proposals on the table are indeed very student-oriented and student-driven." Because of Board of Regents regulations, the opportunity to reauthorize Academic Initiatives only comes up once every five years. An open forum on the Academic Initiatives entitled "You pay for it, but what is it?" was held on Monday night. Tonight, the Student Senate votes on the spending package. Student Senate meetings are open to the public and are held in Cartwright's Port O' Call Wednesday nights at 6:00 pm.
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