Students will vote whether or not to raise the student activity fee, thanks to a decision made by the Student Government Association last night.

After a brief power point presentation from Financial Vice President Dane Salazar and his committee, members of SGA, along with guests representatives from the House of Governors, asked many questions about the financial situation of the University.

The presentation viewed the distribution of the student activity fee for the years 1998-2000. First-Year Senator Pat Contreras presented a large financial difference from what chartered student organizations request, and what they will actually be allotted. The large difference in the year 2000 is no longer due to overestimation, but to multiple chartered student organizations that request funding.

The “simple math” of Salazar and his committee found a solution of increasing the student activity fee by $11 per semester, to a total of $30 per semester.

“We have empirical evidence,” Salazar said. “We did a tremendous amount of research.”

Business and Administration Senator Chris Avery said the SGA should “usher in the age of accountability” so that students know how their money is being spent.

In defense of the student activity fee, Salazar said that compared to other Jesuit universities of this size, such as Marquette and Boston College, SLU’s fee is significantly lower.

Brian Suda, undergraduate commuter, pointed out to fellow senators that voting to pass the bill tonight was not a vote for or against raising the student activity fee. “Pass this bill so that the students can decide,” Suda said.

SGA President Jay Perry said that this bill was supported by the Department of Student Development, headed by vice president Kathy Humphrey.

Chad Kreikemeier, administrative vice president, spoke in favor of the bill and the increase in the student activity fee.

“Last year when funding, we cut these groups to the bone,” Kreikemeier said. “Let’s pass this bill right now; let’s see what the students think of this issue.”

“This bill is integral to what we’re trying to do for this campus,” said Village senator Matt Morrissey. “It’s not going to end tonight. It will take work from every senator to get this passed when it’s on the ballot.”

The bill to place the increase in the student activity fee on the electoral ballot was supported almost unanimously.

Other Business

Morrissey’s resolution to ask University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J. and upper administration other uses for the “pasture” besides the Trova sculpture, was resurrected from last week’s meeting when it had been tabled.

After debate concerning placement and size of the sculptures as well as presentation of the University, the resolution was agreed to.

Senator Adam Altman, undergraduate commuter, was concerned about communication with the University. “We [SGA] attempted to contact Biondi three times, but they did not contact us back,” he said. “I think it is the consensus of the commuter students that these statues are not what they want to drive by.”