It's the time of the year when chalk acronyms blight the sidewalks of UNM urging passing students to vote for some anonymous group of Senate candidates over another equally poorly known slate. Most of the chalking reduces down to a battle of which slate has the wittier initials - the SENERGY group has the edge in my opinion - whatever they stand for, and offers precious little information about any sort of agenda or position. I would conjecture that the single issue the majority of students know about the various slates is their position on whether to distribute candy when they harass people on Election Day.
Cynicism regarding student elections is a very easy reaction given that few changes seem to result from them and last year's election improprieties. While I am certain that many senators are devoted to service and are highly effective in their positions - I am acquainted with a few of them - it does seem that many ASUNM senators are out for another notch in their belts and not really for the students. Superficial campaigning such as chalking doesn't do all that much to dispel these sorts of thoughts.
Despite my skepticism, in regards to student elections, the upcoming one has an important amendment vote. Amendment One would increase the student fee that funds ASUNM spending by 30 percent from $14 to $20, resulting in $145,000 more for student groups, special events and any other spending appropriations. This infusion of funds is necessary for the continued health of the student body.
The number of chartered student organizations seeking funds has increased greatly this past year with many deserving - and some undeserving, I might add - groups going without needed funds or funded at reduced levels. The only way to reconcile the continual increase in funding requests with the static pool of funds is either cutting funding or modestly increasing the student fee.
On its own, the $6 increase does seem modest, but in a historical context it seems downright puny. Student fees have not increased since the mid-1970s, when the current $14 dollar-level was instated. Adjusted for inflation, the current fee in 1975 was equivalent to 47 of today's dollars; it is truly remarkable that the senate has been able to do so much with a fee that is now worth only 30 percent of what it was at introduction.
So, what about those students that don't belong to any student organizations, why should they support this measure? There are greater goods than the individual self-interest, and while they must always be weighed very, very carefully before action is taken, I think it is safe to say that the benefits of the extra money would greatly outweigh the sting of a $6 fee increase. The fee increase would help the community as whole, as the contributions of student organizations enrich the UNM experience.
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But if an appeal to the greater good doesn't convince you, maybe a little selfish tempting will. The increase will also affect the special events fund that brings events to UNM with broad appeal. And let's face it, since faded eighties pop star Tiffany gave a free concert outside the Bookstore last year there hasn't been too many "special events." With the infusion of money, the chances of getting more high-profile events get much higher, a prospect that should entice some of the more skeptical amongst the student body.
There is, of course, the serious issue of accountability that comes with the new fee. ASUNM simply needs to better show how they spend their money. This is nothing that a report outlining where every dollar of student fees is going could not do. I am sure that the Daily Lobo would - and should - publish such a report. With this new accountability students would also feel a much needed connection to their representatives.
The need for greater accountability aside, I think that on the whole the rate increase will do much more good than harm and deserves a yes vote. So on Wednesday, try to ignore the feelings of rage when the friend of somebody on some slate gives you a flyer that you have received five times before and go vote.
by Michael Carrasco
Daily Lobo Columnist
Questions or comments can be sent to Michael Carrasco at mjc_carrasco@hotmail.com.
