Give ASUAF a Break

I opened the first edition of the Sun Star for the new academic year and the possibility of decent recruitment for ASUAF, the student government, looked promising with the article written by Jake Hamburg, the ASUAF President. It stated very simple and clear-cut needs and focuses for the organization and remained positive throughout.

However, I then turned the page to the article meant to explain where student fees go and read an inaccurate, lacking and therefore appalling description for the ASUAF fee.

It should be known that about 49 percent of the fee is dedicated to the Sun Star, the Concert Board and to KSUA. This was decided through referendum by previous students and therefore will not change for now.

Much of the rest of the fee generally pays several employees, almost entirely students, for various services to the organization and to campus. This usually includes the Executive Officer, President, Vice President, Directors, Senate Chair, Senate Clerk and Elections Board Chair. Most are paid $9.50 per hour for up to 20 hours a week, however not always.

ASUAF also contributes funds to Club Council, Grad Bash, the Coalition of Student Leaders, International Student IDs, student travel and events, and to the annual UA Full Funding campaign in Juneau, just to name a few things.

I recommend that anyone who wishes to receive further clarification on their student government fee, or to get involved in order to promote needed change, that they go to the source and not rely on the Sun Star unless they can report more accurately in the future.

Brandon Meston
Student

Help me shrink my carbon footprint!

A new public bus route is being considered on Thursday, September 27, by members of our Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly. If enough public support is shown, the Assembly will approve a route to take effect sometime in October. The route stretches from the UAF Wood Center, East along the six miles of Farmers Loop, and South for a short distance on the Steese, turning into the commercial area at Steese and Johansen (Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Chili's, Game Stop, Fred Meyer East, etc.). My understanding is that a single bus would go over this route every hour from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and then again from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Doesn't this sound fantastic, especially for commuters along Farmers Loop?! Please show support for this marvelous addition to Fairbanks' public transportation. You can speak your own testimony at the Borough Assembly public hearing: 7 p.m. Thursday, September 27, downtown at 809 Pioneer Road. Easier still, send an e-mail of support to: clerks@co.fairbanks.ak.us. Ask that your e-mail be forwarded to the 9 members of the Borough Assembly. Hope to see you on the bus!

Mary Goodwin
Assistant Professor of Art History
474-7726
ffmcg@uaf.edu

Student Wages

Is $7.50 the acceptable minimum wage for students on this campus? I do not believe this to be true, our students represent a talented pool of high achievers providing this university with incredible assistance in its many research and administrative tasks. This year I propose we give them more than simply an appreciation day and a cute certificate for their work (although the day and the certificate are nice, thank you for that). We are facing rising costs all the time in our collegiate life, and an increase in pay will at least allow students a chance to catch up.

This year, let the various departments who utilize student workers evaluate their budgets and determine the impact of a gradual increase in our minimum wage, and, in effect, all the levels of payment to our outstanding and enthusiastic work force. I ask all students who believe that an increase in wages reflects their output to join your student government's efforts in realizing this goal. Only as a united front can we remind our administration of our contribution and role in ensuring the smooth running of our college. ASUAF will post throughout campus dates for meetings pertaining to the issue and any related events, but without your attendance and participation the fight is in vain.

Joseph C. Blanchard II
fsjcb7@uaf.edu
(907)-388-7944