LETTER: Amendment one to give groups needed funding

Editor,

As Senators of the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico we would like to express our opinion regarding Amendment 1, which will be on the ballot for the spring 2002 elections.

Amendment 1, if passed, will raise student fees from $14 to $20 next fiscal year. Some might ask why this is so important to the student government and why they should vote for the amendment?

Our reasoning is simple. We say that the money is coming out of the students' pockets, but in the end, it is going right back. There is an amazing difference between the two budgets prepared by the ASUNM Finance Committee for the next fiscal year. One budget was prepared under current budget constraints and one was prepared assuming that Amendment 1 would pass. The latter fulfills most student groups' budget requests fully or almost fully, while the former leaves student groups scraping the bottom of the proverbial barrel.

In the mid-1970s, the ASUNM fee was increased to the current $14. At the time, it probably provided sufficient funding for UNM student organizations, but times - and inflation - have changed. Today we are operating with 2002 prices and a 1970s budget. This is unfair to both the ASUNM Government and the UNM student body.

Countless UNM organizations have aspirations of representing our University at national conferences or by sponsoring very worthwhile events on campus. However, with current funding levels, they are left with empty pockets and little assistance in fulfilling their great aspirations. With a mere $6 per semester funding will be increased by more than $145,000 per fiscal year. What does that mean for you?

If you are in a student organization, with this increase your group will have a bigger pool of money that you will be able request from and thus making it easier to attend national conferences and even host some conferences. Even if you are not part of any student organization you, too, will benefit. If this amendment passes it will be make more funding available for Executive Agencies such as Student Special Events to hold bigger and better events for all students to enjoy.

These are just some of the reasons why we support Amendment 1. We strongly feel that this amendment will make UNM a better University and would hope that you will support Amendment 1 on April 10.

ASUNM Sens. Tim Serna and Paul C. Campbell