Opinion

Your life without seg fees

Jason Smathers
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by Jason Smathers
Tuesday, March 13, 2007 00:00

Segregated fees.

That nasty little "tax" on our tuition seems to be the bane of every paying student's existence. Here we are, debt-heavy college students trying to get by, and we are forced to pay an extra $350 for someone's political agenda? These fees have got to go!

Allow me to play the role of Frank Capra; let's live a life without them. Feel free to breathe in deep. You're the lucky recipient of a "tax-free" tuition. Yet, is it really for the best? Let's go through a typical day without them.

You've woken up, like a good student, to attend class. However, you hear a strange twangy guitar and fiddle coming from your alarm clock. It's then you realize WSUM 91.7 FM, with all of its eclectic, free-form majesty, has been replaced by 24-hour bluegrass music. Student-segregated fees provide this campus with student radio. Without them, artists like Girl Talk and Ratatat have to find a home in some other city.

Still trying to get that banjo sound out of your head, you rush off to calculus. You're a bit late so you take the bus. When you get on, the driver immediately asks you for fare. You try and pull out your ASM bus pass, except it's not there. Segregated fees paid for that too. You give up on class and decide to get help on the section you missed.

You try to search for a tutor but end up failing. The GUTS website isn't working, and the math tutors are unavailable. All of that is gone now — segregated fees paid for that, as well. You feel incredibly frustrated and begin to get a bit dizzy. Maybe you should go to UHS. Oh wait, that was funded by segregated fees, too.

Throughout the day, you realize there are a number of organizations that no longer appear on campus: Sex Out Loud has been silenced, and the MultiCultural Student Coalition is a mere memory. Memorial Union is deserted, not to mention dilapidated. There will be no more lecture series here. Yes, those annoying fees supported that, as well.

So, still think it's a good idea?

It's obvious that life on campus would be stripped of many of the benefits we take for granted if segregated fees didn't exist. It's easy to say they aren't needed, but those who voted for the Student Union Initiative might disagree with you. After all, a fair amount of segregated fees go to the Wisconsin Union as well.

Yet, that doesn't seem to be the problem opponents have. Students have spoken out against the funding of groups on campus with political agendas or exclusive appeal. The University of Wisconsin Roman Catholic Foundation was cited as one example, because it appeals to a specific part of the population and offers them a service. This is true, but it is not technically a student organization. Therefore, it doesn't deserve the funds.

The other groups on campus are a different matter. The groups such as MeChA, the LGBT Student Center and MCSC may be geared toward students of color and LGBT students, but they are not exclusive. As we struggle with making this campus more equitable and diverse, we have organizations for the white majority, as well. While many students don't use these resources, they should be encouraged to do so, in order to foster an atmosphere of diverse and fair treatment. Just because it doesn't benefit you doesn't mean it isn't needed.

There is nothing wrong with fiscal conservatism. In many cases, cutting out the unnecessary programs is a needed catharsis for any government body. However, these groups provide crucial services for a minor fee. Some claim that other student organizations can survive without segregated fees, so why do any of them need student-segregated fees? If critics need to ask why a student radio station or tutoring organization needs funding, maybe they should try it themselves without the funds. Let me know how Sex Out Loud turns out without funds for advertising and condoms.

There is only one section of the segregated fees that might be suspect: the amount of money going to the Wisconsin Union. Although I'm concerned with what student groups get my money, I'm more concerned with a profitable institution needing my money to expand.

This isn't just about money, though. Some students argue they shouldn't pay for programs they don't use or agree with. Many early Americans didn't agree with taxation for the purpose of public schools. However, in the end, they accepted the reform because it was crucial to the future of the United States.

Segregated fees are crucial to the stability of our campus community. I can accept the argument that certain student organizations don't need funding from the university. However, to completely eliminate segregated fees means to eliminate UHS services, recreational sports and certain tutoring services, among others.

If you still believe in eliminating segregated fees, go ahead. Yet, when you have to start spending those savings — and then some — on the very services you use for free, don't say I didn't warn you.

Jason Smathers (jsmathers@wisc.edu) is a junior majoring in history and journalism.


Feedback
Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 12:44am):

The Wisconsin Union receives $95/semester of that ~$365/semester.

Oh, and it will be going up next year by an additional $48/semester. I wonder if we will still be paying the $95 when Union South is torn down and the Theater Wing of Memorial is being rebuilt? The union is a huge money pit.

They charge $5 for a sandwich with flies on it and they can't afford to support their own budget?

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 5:56am):

"The groups such as MeChA . . . are not exclusive."

Are you kidding? MEChA's stated purpose is to return control of the western United States to Mexico, "por La Raza".

I suppose that by your definition, the KKK is "not exclusive".

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 6:27am):

Here's that 12:44am chach again. Hey Badger Herald punk, please identify your dissenting self? That way we can make sure to write on all of your petty articles, unless of course you are an editor.

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 9:26am):

And here I was hoping this wasn't going to be sarcastic. I thought tax reform was finally getting into the student body.

The WU has been mismanaged and unmaintained for the last 20 years. That is why it is an unsanitary shithole. It certainly doesn't need anymore money! It has a great location, a totally unique iconic lakefront terrace, plus tons of public funding, yet they can't make enough money to keep it from crumbling apart? They got to shakedown students for even more money?! If that facility was run by a private company for profit, it would be the most successful bar/pool hall/coffee house/music venue/theatre in the city. There certainly wouldn't be groups of union employees standing around talking while the tables, floors, and chairs are sticky and filthy.

The bus passes are another great scam. Something 5% of the student pop uses regularly, but we all have to pay for it. Why can't the people who want to take the bus pay for it themselves? Isn't that fair? If I ride my bike everywhere, I want my bus money back! In the rare event I need to take the bus, I'll pay the fare.

I think the worthlessness of the various seg-fee funded student groups speak for themselves.

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 9:46am):

Dear idiot commentator,

When you make idiotic comments like "MEChA's stated purpose is to return control of the western United States to Mexico, "por La Raza"." you might want to be more creditable if you give the source for you garbage.
I on the other hand did a very brief search on the intertubes and found the stated purpose is " The purpose of MEChA here at the UW-Madison is to educate our campus and local communities about Chicana/o and Mexicana/o culture, traditions, history and struggles and to help in any way possible in developing a political consciousness. Through special programming, our goal is to extend our message by creating a diverse environment within the UW-Madison campus by educating the campus population. We are here to educate our community and anyone else who has the desire to learn more about the diverse aspects of Chicano culture."

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 10:36am):

"Here we are, debt-heavy college students trying to get by, and we are forced to pay an extra $350 for someone's political agenda? These fees have got to go!"

You should have stopped there.

9:26am is correct. Forcing students to pay for things they don't need and don't want is wrong, ESPECIALLY when those things go against their religious/moral/ideological principles. Allocating a portion of seg fees to student orgs should be done away with completely. Period. The remaining items such as UHS, Union, Bus Pass, and Intramural should be optional. These are great services the university can offer but if you are not going to use them, you shouldn't have to pay for them.

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 11:02am):

First of all, please explain how UWRCF is any more exclusive than MeCHA, MCSC, or LGBT. Second of all, I don't believe LGBT is technically a student organization either, so "therefore, it doesn't deserve the funds," either.

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 11:02am):

This article is right on the money. The point of funding student organizations with segregated fees is that they benefit the full university whether you agree with the org. or not.

As for MEChA:
"The purpose of MEChA here at the UW-Madison is to educate our campus and local communities about Chicana/o and Mexicana/o culture, traditions, history and struggles and to help in any way possible in developing a political consciousness. Through special programming, our goal is to extend our message by creating a diverse environment within the UW-Madison campus by educating the campus population. We are here to educate our community and anyone else who has the desire to learn more about the diverse aspects of Chicana/o culture."

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 12:56pm):

this article is amazing. Seg fees are what makes UW-Madison so unique!

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 1:13pm):

"Why can't the people who want to take the bus pay for it themselves?"

Smacks of personal responsibilty - can't have that!

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 2:06pm):

The worthlessness of your what-if demonstration speaks to the worthlessness of segregated fees. Can't wake up to WSUM or ride the bus to class? God no!

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 2:26pm):

Why not just pay in for the services you want? If I disagree with a cause, I refuse to fund it. Forcing me to give certain causes my money is just as much a violation of rights as it is to take away these organizations. Those who choose to involve themselves can pay.

I can almost guarantee that the money I would use to "pay in" to the services on campus that the segregated fees supports would be equal or LESSER than the segregated fee that is currently paying for organizations with which I disagree.

And for those who think MeCha is a great organization, have a look at one of their mottos: Por La Raza todo, Fuera de La Raza nada. (For the race, everything; for those outside the race, nothing). Clearly the person who pretended to know what MeCha was about hasn't ever heard of MeCha's supremacist roots before.

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 2:58pm):

The segregated fees allocated by the elected representatives in a year make sense.

Allowing 1500 voters in 2007 to commit students to $196 per year for the next 30 years is outrageous. No way should it be that easy to put all of us behind the eight ball for the Union.

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 3:43pm):

Dear 9:46,

From the preamble to the MEChA Constitution: "Chicano and Chicana students of Aztlan must take upon themselves the responsibilities to promote Chicanismo within the community, politicizing our Raza with an emphasis on indigenous consciousness to continue the struggle for the self-determination of the Chicano people for the purpose of liberating Aztlan."

In case you're wondering what Aztlan is, look here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztl%C3%A1n#Use_by_the_Chicano_Movement


Yours truly,
The Idiot Commentator

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 4:57pm):

As one can see by the comments it is clear that segregated fees are loved my most people on this campus. I don't think that the concept of segregated fees is the contentious part; merely it is how they are distributed that is unfair. While the system looks good on paper the problem is that large groups stack ASM committees with allies who give there time to help out a group they enjoy. Most true representatives who are on simply to help the students and to do exactly what this article says do not have the time to give. There are exceptions but for the most part ASM is merely a rotten apple from the inside out.
- Germain E. Stemme
PS I know many of you will doubt this and that is fine but look at how many of the student representative's show up to meetings. Most times Student Council barely has quorum. It should also me noted that most committees from ASM are held by people in other committees, in short our representative ASM is an oligarchy.

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 4:57pm):

FYI, the only reason seg fees are needed to support some organizations is because they are made up of people who are too lazy to get off their butts and raise money for their cause... take WISPIRG for example.

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 5:02pm):

I think i rode the bus about 5 times last year. There's 10$. I played maybe 20 games of pool- 20$. Intramurals should be payed for by players, just like every public and city league. I would definitely not give my money to LGBT and other orgs that I disagree with/ have no use for.
$365/semester- seriously???

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 5:26pm):

Yeah! And while we're at it, the federal government should send out a check-off form for all the stuff IT funds. I don't want to pay for Iraq anymore!

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 6:14pm):

"If I disagree with a cause, I refuse to fund it."

Now, now, remember it's "From each according to their ablilty, to each according to their need".

'scuse me, gotta go make my needs list up - LOL.

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 7:58pm):

All of these non-white, Gay/Lesbian groups that are clearly the minority on campus are getting money that they shouldn't be. All of these groups are not for everyone, you can't tell me that I (being straight) would ever go to a LGBT meeting or what not, and also would I ever go to a Multicultural meeting...NO. The segregated fees are a joke, I can see the bus being a good idea, possibly GUTS and the tutoring things but honestly no one cares about the radio or multicultural crap or the gays.

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 8:11pm):

5:26, unless you are making more money than 99% of the students, I doubt you are paying for Iraq.

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 9:17pm):

To 12:44....I can understand being outraged over having to pay so much for the union renovation but just so you know the amount of money the union gets from seg fees is about enough to pay to turn the lights on for the year. The rest money for our 2+ million dollar budget comes internal revenue.

Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 11:21pm):

Someone really needs to question the fact that the Wisconsin Union refuses to tap into its membership and other funding sources, and instead has placed every financial increase squarely on the backs of students.

Anonymous (March 14, 2007 @ 1:14am):

For all you opt-out Ayn Rand worhsippers: you enrolled at UW fully aware of the seg fees system and have paid the $$$ annually. You had the choice to opt out when you filled out your college application. Maybe they don't make you pay seg fees at Bob Jones U.

Anonymous (March 14, 2007 @ 12:18pm):

I don't know where I would be if SOL wasn't there to give me dildo training and to pay for my contraceptives...

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