2008 Woodie Awards
SGA to retaliate against state for lack of funding
By Rachel Seeman
Rocket News Editor
Issue date: 3/10/06 Section: News
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"I've been working with (SGA) presidents across the state and we're starting an advocacy campaign," SGA President Julie Hepner said.
Hepner and other students will be sending letters to legislators asking for more funding from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. SRU sent 300 letters last year. Vice President for Student Life Robert Watson said that number should be 3,000 letters, which is still less than half of the student body.
Watson said that when he was a student at SRU, 70 percent of his education was paid for by the state.
"(Things changed) because the Senate and the House of Representatives no longer value public higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Watson said.
He said money that paid for his education is now being used for prisons, roads and bridges instead of the education of current students.
"If you write and your parents write, think of what the impact will be," Watson said. "People who want more roads and bridges are talking. We haven't been loud enough and you need to do that."
In other news, Hepner congratulated members of the Budget Committee who have been working on the breakdown of funds for campus clubs and organizations.
Committee members in addition to Hepner included Vice President for Financial Affairs Preston Gibbs, Commuter Senator Ashley Clark, Rock Apartments Senator Caitlin Sadecky, Cooperative Activities Business Manager Cathy George and faculty member Lynn Spadine-Taylor.
"We have never had a group care so much about your money," Hepner said.
In recognition of Watson's retirement at the end of this month, Hepner said that Building C of the new residence halls will be named after Watson.
In other SGA news, three parties will be running in the elections for SGA next year. They include the Freedom party, Kaleidoscopic party and Bringing Experience and Creative History (B.E.A.C.H.) party.
