No fee dumping here
Michael Wilson had a number of facts wrong in his letter to the editor this week. I believe in the notion "to each their own" on how students view the proposed Wood Center Renovation and Expansion project, but I want to make sure students know the facts versus just hearsay.
First of all, the Wood Center is technically UAF's Student Union Building, but it is also a public facility. Yes, it is open to anyone who wants to come in, but there are not "a number of benefits for free" for outside community members, as Michael claims. When anyone comes into the Wood Center, it is likely that they purchase something ranging from candy bars at the front desk, to coffee at the Polar Perk, to a meal in the Food Court. The community also pays for Polar Alley charges, meeting space, and booth space. And although the Student Activities Office hosts a number of concerts and events, they are hardly ever held in the Wood Center; they often come with a price tag for non-students.
I am a student and know personally the expense of going to college. Realistically, though, students at UAF do not pay nearly as much as students at other universities across the county, and we should be grateful for this. I feel strongly that it is important to invest in your educational experience, and assisting the creation of a complete and up-to-par Student Union Building is an element of this investment.
The proposed fee would not be a "fee dump" on students -- it would not be initiated until post-construction, and it would come in three graduating stages. At the very worst-case scenario (if we are completely unable to secure other funds from the legislature, local business leaders, alumni, and other possible fund sources), the fee would max out at $160 per semester to pay back the 25-year bond. We worded the referendum with extreme detail so that there would be no way the fee could be altered to become a higher amount or force students to pay it longer than the 25-year period.
Finally, I'd like to clear up Michael's misconceptions about the Student Recreation Center. Technically, students are able to use the SRC for free; students do not pay to use the SRC right now -- we are paying back the bond it took to remodel the facility. Non-students, however, are required to pay for use: Faculty and staff can pay $500 annually for their family or $350 for themselves; alumni can pay $525 annually for their family or $365 for themselves; and the general public can pay $1200 annually for their family or $900 for themselves. There are semester-based, monthly-based, and weekly-based rates for these users, as well.
The Campus Life Master Plan Student Committee collected over 500 student signatures to get the referendum on the ASUAF ballot. Please make sure you get out and give an educated vote May 3 and 4. We want to hear what students have to say -- regardless of whether you support or disapprove of the project. This effort has been student-driven since October, and we want it to continue this way. For more information, please visit www.uaf.edu/oc3/
Terin Walton-Rantz
CLMPSC Co-Chair
Something in the Air?
What is with Fairbanksans lately? The past couple of weeks there has been much break up of ice and melting of snow. Among trash and lost items there have been a lot of people coming out of the woodwork.
Just the other day my friend and I were driving down Yukon Drive and a woman on the sidewalk stopped and just stared at us as if we were going to splash her (maybe in hopes that we would not). But the funny thing is that there wasn't any water anywhere near her except in the form of millions of ice crystals.
So, there we were, watching this lady looking dumbfounded at us as if to say "Don't splash me or else!" The other thing I found to be rather interesting is at all the recent influx of vehicles on the street and the people that come with them.
It makes me wonder if all the ole beaters coming out (no offence to anyone) put out too many chemicals and make people act differently, more often crazier. I mean almost getting sideswiped at an intersection yielding to a cop crossing through seems crazy to me.
UAF seems normal, just people are getting excited for summer and/or depressed about the upcoming finals. Has anyone else noticed these differences?
Good luck to everyone on your finals coming up and may you all have a good summer in whatever you do. Oh, and I will be in the upcoming Student Film Festival for those interested... should be fun!
Farrin A. Ried
Polar Alley Pinchaser
Freebird
The funny part is that I almost went to your university. Actually, the really funny part is that after 12 years I'm finally going to graduate from college (because I have to)!
My name is Johnny Lechner and I have been in "Higher Education Heaven" (getting the grades, throwing the biggest parties, falling in love once a month, and living the good life) since 1994 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
The state of WI actually created a law (a.k.a.: the "Johnny Lechner Law") that forces non-traditional students like myself to pay double the tuition because I could have graduated years ago.
Basically, I'm really just your average underdog musician type who decided that I loved college so much that I didn't want to graduate. Unfortunately, unless I win the lottery, it appears as if my college adventure is finally coming to an end after 12 incredible memory-filled years.
If you're interested in finding out more about my story, please check out
www.johnnylechner.com
The site features a blog, outlines my current situation, summarizes the last 12 years, provides some great quotes and pics, and reaches out for help and advice.
Anyway, I thought I would just drop you a line about the situation since I almost ended up at your school. Feel free to pass my story (and website) onto anyone that may be interested in it, and I'm here if you want to do anything with it yourself!
Johnny Lechner
12th year college senior
