Senators look further into differntial tuition

Posted 11/23/2010
by Kirsten Scheid

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Representatives from Career Services and the Jim Dan Hill Library made their appeal for differential tuition at Monday night's regular Student Government Association meeting.

Betsy Gregg, the Career Services specialist, told the meeting that since the hiring of the first full-time coordinator, the service has launched a website with a variety of services that has gotten 13,000 log-ins, organizes many programs such as the Head of the Lakes Job Fair and “No Gigs for Pigs,” with over 3700 students have participated in these events. 88% of the funds raised by the differential go to covering employee expenses; approximately 12 % covers program and resource expenses, including the purchase of netbooks which are used during training and information sessions, allowing customers to access web-based information during programs. There have been 4,071 job opportunities posted to date with 118 employers active on campus.

Library Director Deb Nordgren reported that the differential tuition funds are used to maintain journals and databases, and to purchase books and audio/visual resources, including department allocations. In the past, funds have been spent to hire a moving consultant and to upgrade workstations in the library. Since the move is completed, there will be no need to use funds for these purposes in the near future. However journal and database costs increase approximately five percent per year.

The Ad Hoc committee on differential tuition reported that it is working on three areas to develop proposals for funding: financial aid or student assistance, science department on technical expenses and the Technical Department maintaining and upgrading systems on campus, as well as funding for new computers for Swenson Hall. The existing differentials will be continued, and a draft proposal covering these new areas will be ready for the Dec. 6 SGA meeting.

In other agenda business, Don Leighton was approved to be the Winter Commencement speaker. He is a former non-traditional student who took more than 40 years to earn his college degree. He writes a column for the Superior Telegram, called “Have Fun or Get Out of the Way.”

Interim Chancellor Tammy Fanning reminded everyone of all the activities and opportunities for volunteering at Winterfest. There are costumes to be worn and fun to be had. SGA President Jessica Duffy reported that “Meet Your Government” night was a great success. During one head count, there were 75 people in the area taking part in the festivities, and the “Pie Your President” pie-throwing booth raised $40 for the American Cancer Society.