After Chancellor John Wiley submitted his grievances with the 2007-08 segregated fee budgets last week, members of the Associated Students of Madison met Monday to formulate a response, including standing their ground on the hotly contested off-campus rent issue.

In his letter to ASM, Wiley commended the students for their efforts in sorting out complex regulations, but notes a "lack of responsiveness" to his direct instructions made throughout the year to alter the budgets.

"I respect your views with regard to these points of contention, and appreciate the efforts you have made to accommodate my stated concerns, but the outcome is not satisfactory," Wiley said in the letter.

Wiley has repeatedly warned ASM that he would not sign off on $89,079 in funding for six student organizations with budgets that include money to rent and maintain off-campus space in violation of University of Wisconsin System policy.

In December, the ASM Student Council decided to combat the policy by opting to include the money despite Wiley's direction.

Rachel Butler, representing the Student Rights Coalition, which was formed in fall 2006 to combat Wiley's stance on the issue, said the members of the committee had the obligation to uphold the student opinion already presented at the Student Council meeting.

"The rent issue isn't about whether you agree or not," Butler said. "The core issue is holding the university accountable to their own policies and standing up for student rights."

With news of the committee's decision to stand firm on their decision, Dean of Students Lori Berquam said in an interview Monday that Wiley and the administration are obligated to oppose the funding, but that students have every right to take a different view.

"The chancellor has to do what he has to do in his position. I support the same thing — we have to follow system guidelines," Berquam said. "The students also have the opportunity to have their voices heard about this and take it to the next level."

In addition to the response to Wiley's letter, ASM representatives will convene Wednesday to draft an appeal to UW System President Kevin Reilly to be heard at a summer Board of Regents meeting where the budgets are considered.

In the time before more space becomes available, Berquam said they've allocated temporary space at 324 N. Henry St. and other locations.

"We negotiated the ability to have other student groups help," Berquam said. "It's not ideal space, it's not the same amount of space, but we're still working with student groups impacted."

In his letter, Wiley made it clear that no more short-term solutions will be offered from UW resources.

"In a time of shrinking resources, all units of the university have to learn to do more with less," Wiley said in the letter. "[T]his problem is big enough, it will not be allowed to get bigger."

ASM representatives also sent a response to Wiley suggesting campus bus routes 80 and 85 be made more efficient in order to remedy a budget shortfall.