NEWS
Finance committee again says ‘no’ to RCF eligibility
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Carolyn Potts:
- Board to revise conduct policies (February 26, 2008)
- Student Judiciary to provide legal counsel (February 25, 2008)
- Finance group forwards $16 million funding (February 22, 2008)
- Fall freshman applications hit new record (February 21, 2008)
- ASM launches affordability efforts (February 21, 2008)
Related Stories:
- Judiciary hears Catholic group appeal (October 29, 2007)
- SJ grants group hearing (February 11, 2008)
- SJ lets RCF-UW reapply for funds (November 12, 2007)
- Finance group forwards $16 million funding (February 22, 2008)
- RCF earns third shot (February 12, 2008)
by Carolyn Potts
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The
Student Services Finance Committee decided Monday to deny the University of
Wisconsin Roman Catholic Foundation funding for the 2008-10 school years.
After
RCF-UW’s third hearing for General Student Service Fund eligibility, SSFC made
their decision based on the group’s lack of “a specific and identifiable
educational service that includes a significant component beyond event
programming and leadership development opportunities.”
The
decision was not a unanimous vote, as three committee members voted to grant
eligibility, five voted to deny it and one member abstained from voting.
According
to SSFC representative Carl Fergus, who voted in favor of the group, RCF-UW
demonstrated a significant component in their educational service to the campus
community.
“To me, the significant
component of this organization was their spiritual development opportunities
which allowed members of the organization and students on this campus to both
learn about and act out the values of the organization,” Fergus said.
The
debate over RCF-UW’s eligibility centered mainly on the educational service the
group provides and what exactly educational service is. But, as Fergus pointed
out, many members on the committee have different ideas of what educational
service is.
Based
on U.S. District Court Judge John Shabaz’s ruling Jan. 17, RCF-UW was allowed
to incorporate prayer, worshipping and proselytizing into their eligibility
hearing last Thursday as part of their significant component. But that addition
to their presentation only made a difference for some members of the committee.
“That is what swayed my
vote,” Fergus said. “It was that they were allowed to use this spiritual
development in the form of prayer, worship and proselytizing.”
SSFC
Chair Alex Gallagher said after dissecting all parts of RCF-UW’s eligibility
hearing, the committee did not feel that anything presented altered their
eligibility status.
“The committee was very
willing to hear how those aspects of RCF’s program played into their entire
role,” Gallagher said. “They were sympathetic to the fact that RCF didn’t have
the opportunity to, or didn’t feel they could, present this, but after
presenting it thoroughly… they still do not feel anything has changed.”
The
committee also approved the final General Student Service Fund budgets for
2008-09, including the Bus Pass budget, the Student Activity Center budget and
the Wisconsin Union budget.
The
Bus Pass budget was approved at $3,779,300. However, the committee was not
satisfied with the budget proposed by the Madison Metro bus company. SSFC vice
chair Katrina Flores proposed a 50 percent cut to overhead fees in an attempt
to send a message to the bus company that the committee would like to see more
justification next time.
The
Student Activity Center budget was approved at about $107,000, and the
Wisconsin Union received $7,626,000 for building maintenance and $3,589,000 for
the Union South project and the renovations at Memorial Union.
Anonymous (February 26, 2008 @ 3:42am):
"the Wisconsin Union received $7,626,000 for building maintenance and $3,589,000 for the Union South project and the renovations at Memorial Union." --
so is the $7,626,000 for 'building maintenance' in addition to the funds approved for the Union Referendum? So $191 per student for this year in addition to the $192 per student (per year for 30 years) for the renovation/reconstruction projects?
Really? Between donors and the revenue sources (e.g., businesses) at the Union, students STILL have to pay $383 in addition to their tuition this year just for the Union?
Why isn't anyone in media taking a good, close look at this? Hello, Badger Herald?
Anonymous (February 26, 2008 @ 9:32am):
I'm guessing St. Paul's' lawyers are already drafting a legal challenge.
Anonymous (February 26, 2008 @ 10:33am):
The 7,626,000 is used to keep the buildings of the union open and operational, i.e. water, electricity, staff costs, etc. The food service is self sustaining, as it brings in more revenue than is costs to operate it.
Anonymous (February 26, 2008 @ 10:33am):
is this story still going on? why wont the RCF just go away.
Anonymous (February 26, 2008 @ 6:19pm):
"The 7,626,000 is used to keep the buildings of the union open and operational, i.e. water, electricity, staff costs, etc."
So why hasn't that total decreased with the closing of Union South? With one less building, costs should decrease.
Unless we're getting screwed over again.
Anonymous (February 26, 2008 @ 10:28pm):
The Union spent $14,000 to get the Student Union Initiative passed (in its third attempt to get it passed).
Part of the SUI plan was making whatever promises were necessary to get it passed. The Union didn't want workers to be upset about temporary loss of jobs during the building of the new Union South.
The Union said that there would be no staff cuts during the closing of Union South. I can't understand why the staff for two building will still be getting paid to work in one building.
Add a comment
We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.
Login...
Not registered? Sign up now.
It's quick, free, and the email address you provide will not be sold or solicited.
