BRITNEY MALONEY
Staff Writer
After nearly two hours of heated debate Wednesday night, SGA’s vote to propose increases in student programming fees was postponed. If passed, the resolution will increase the student programming fee from $45 a semester to $60 a semester, a 33 percent increase that would result in an additional $45,000 a year for SGA and other student organizations.
They were unable to vote on the resolution, however, because they didn’t have quorum. Quorum is the minimum number of members of a body who have to be in attendance in order for the body to vote.
SGA will vote on the resolution at next week’s meeting. If it is passed, the student body will vote on the resolution Feb. 22.
SGA President Leon Dixson supporst increasing the fee.
“I want to make SGA a stronger presence,” he said in the meeting. “If we had more money I could see us growing and representing the students better.”
Dixson explained that the primary reason for the increase is to give money to Inter Club Council (ICC), which will soon be separate from SGA. ICC includes 50-plus clubs on campus.
Senior Sen. John Jorden, who is also the Graphic’s advertising director, and junior Sen. Scott Alexander presented a resolution rejecting the increase in student fees at this time.
“If you (SGA) could tell me right now where the money from the increase would be going, I’d be content,” Jorden said in the meeting. “I don’t think it makes sense to raise fees just because it has been eight years since raising them.”
Jorden also added that the increase doesn’t make sense because there was a surplus of funds last semester.
“ICC rarely has enough money,” junior Sen. Kevin Mills said. “I have been to some of their meetings, and they almost always don’t have enough money. Once Greeks are involved in ICC they will definitely need more money.”
Mills suggested adding new programs with the additional funds.
“We could have an honors program that would attract more student to Pepperdine. We could start a student-run business, have a campus-wide formal dance, provide classes for the LSATs and GREs that cost students $1,200 individually or have retreats for freshmen to help the retention rate.”
Jorden argued that, although Pepperdine is known for its wealth, there are students who will feel the strain of an additional $30 per year.
“Is this a lot of money to someone who only eats Ramen Noodles? Yes. Is this a lot money for someone who can hardly fill up his or her car with gas? Yes. We don’t want a fee increase for anybody,” Jorden said in the meeting.
Alexander said to the body that he is against the fee increase.
“Unless there is a plan that says where we are putting our $30 a year, until there is a definite plan where it is going, why should we tell other people to spend their money?” he said.
It was suggested that if the resolution is passed, SGA could pay the senators a stipend.
“I think this would attract a lot more candidates, and maybe better candidates,” said Junior President Brendan Groves. “Why do you think in 1776 they decided to pay the members of the Constitutional Convention? We should embrace the future.”
Jorden said he didn’t agree with Groves.
“I would never accept money as a senator,” Jorden said to the members, “because that is the wrong reason to do something. That’s like taking money to work for Habitat for Humanity. Here at Pepperdine we are taught to give back and serve. You guys can be role models through your actions on SGA.”
Dixson reiterated his point that the main reasoning behind the increase would be to financially support ICC.
“We are moving toward a more umbrella-type organization,” he said. “It will have one president over SPB, SGA, ICC and SAO (Student Alumni Organization). This fee raise would not just be going toward SGA, but also to those other organizations.”
Jorden argued, however, that the money is already within SGA.
“The money exists,” he said. “We just need to use it and budget it properly.”
Dixson encouraged SGA members to get feedback from the student body before next week’s meeting, when the members will vote on the resolution.
02-09-2006