The UA’s undergraduate student government voted Wednesday to delay a decision on the addition of fees for Arizona Student Media and the Wildcat Events Board to the March ballot.
The ASUA Senate decided to table discussion on the fee proposals until next week’s meeting. Senators asked to see a finalized version of the language that would go on the ballot if both organizations collect enough signatures by Friday for a student referendum.
The Arizona Student Media fee proposal would increase the fee UA students pay each semester from $1 to $3 to fund the three UA student media outlets: The Arizona Daily Wildcat, UATV-3 and KAMP Student Radio.
The Wildcat Events Board is proposing another student fee that would go toward funding free events for students on campus, including concerts.
Regarding the Arizona Student Media fee, senators expressed concern that the language proposed for the ballot was not specific enough and would confuse voters.
Isaac Gealer, the general manager of KAMP Student Radio, presented his argument for the implementation of the fee.
“The loss of any of the Arizona student media entities on this campus would prove detrimental to the daily operations of student life,” Geeler said. “Where will students receive their news? How will students be able to say, ‘I saw them first on student television’? How will students get their new music on campus? The answer to all these questions is Arizona Student Media.”
Although there was no vote on the proposal due to wording issues, some of the senate expressed support for Arizona Student Media’s initiative.
“I had the opportunity to go tour the facility. Just from my point of view it is an unreal setup they have there,” said Sen. Morgan Abraham. “I had no idea that any of the three organizations were as big as they are. It was such a cool environment that I felt. I am a huge supporter of this and I think they have their act together and I hope that the senate would agree.”
The senate also discussed Spring Fling planning and considered proposed funding for Feminists Organized to Resist, Create and Empower, also known as F.O.R.C.E.
The senate also discussed a lawsuit that the Arizona Students’ Association, a student lobbying organization, recently filed against the Arizona Board of Regents in response to its decision regarding the collection of a student fee for ASA.
Although there was a representative from ASA at the senate meeting, he declined to comment on the lawsuit and informed the senate that he would return to next week’s meeting with a better understanding and an ability to discuss the pending lawsuit.
