Montana Kaimin, March 27, 1996 Associated Students of the University of Montana
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University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Associated Students of the University of Montana Montana Kaimin, 1898-present (ASUM) 3-27-1996 Montana Kaimin, March 27, 1996 Associated Students of the University of Montana Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy . Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper Recommended Citation Associated Students of the University of Montana, "Montana Kaimin, March 27, 1996" (1996). Montana Kaimin, 1898-present. 8902. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper/8902 This Newspaper is brought to you for free and open access by the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM) at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Montana Kaimin, 1898-present by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Director says... It started with a beat... Fee needed for Health Services Erica Curless Kaimin Reporter Student Health Services will be forced to cut services if the ASUM Senate fails to approve a $4 per semester student fee increase, Director Nancy Fitch said Tuesday. The Senate will vote tonight on increasing the $107.25 per semester fee to cover wage increases, counseling services and two new positions. If the proposal passes, students will pay $111.25 each semester for Health Services access. “I think it’s a lot of money but anyone who goes to a doctor spends that much in one visit,” Fitch said. *Tve always tried to ask for a small increase each year th at reflects annual i nfl a- JefT Dvorak for the Kaimin tion costs.” The bulk of this year’s fee THE FATHERS of ska, the Skatalites, played to an enthusiastic crowd at the UC Ballroom Monday night. Pioneers of the reggae I ska sound that emerged from Jamaica in the 1960’s, the band palyed songs that spanned their thirty-year career. increase will compensate for the loss of $47,000 in general fund ing for the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Dennison sous... Fitch said. The university’s general fund UM can't rely on state for future funding financed CAPS until 1993 when ated from student fees such as then imitating those methods. Dean of Students Barbara Sonja Lee fund itself. Dennison said UM will most tuition has increased from close Dennison said increased bor Hollmann asked Health Kaimin Reporter likely be faced with a 25 percent to $12 million to more than $34 rowing is another possibility, Services to absorb the program, increase in its student popula million in the past six years, and and cutting some ties with state she said. After the shift, ASUM UM will face more and more state funding has stayed close to requirements could save money. agreed to reapportion the gener challenges in the next few years tion during the next few years, and UM won’t be able to rely on $23 million over the six year He said rather than getting sup al funding to the health fee dur to keep education affordable plies and materials through the ing a four-year period. despite diminishing state sup the state for increased funding period. “Most people don’t realize state, UM could look into buying Student Health Services port, UM President George for higher education. He said just how sharp those trend lines more at the local level. Ib main received a similar 3 percent fee Dennison told a small group of pressure to balance the federal tain prices, UM will also be look increase last year. local clergy yesterday in the budget will shift a lot of respon are,” he said. Dennison said UM is looking ing for increased support from “I think if we can get this Narnia Coffeehouse. sibility to state governments, the private sector, Dennison approved this year it will be the Dennison in a discussion and state governments will be at ways to maintain current stu last hard year and we can give titled “The Future of the forced to make cuts. dent costs rather than continu said. Analyzing the substance of the students some breathing University. New Visions,” “There will be the inevitabili ally increasing tuition. He said the student curriculum will also room,* Fitch said. addressed the difficulties UM ty of asking higher education to UM is engaged in benchmark be part of UM’S future. He said The fee would also cover a 5 will face in the future as enroll look for ways to fund itself” he ing, which is the process of look the curriculum will need to be percent salary increase mandat ment increases and higher edu said. ing at other universities to dis cation searches for new ways to Dennison said revenue gener cover ways of saving money and ed by the Montana Legisi ature See “Dennison ” page 8 and two new staff positions for a custodian and clinical aide, Fitch said. Regents to vote on university system make over If the fee increase fails the Senate, the quality of service Kimberly Robinson system like a “factory.” will allow students to move dents who want to have a double and the amount of service will Kaimin Reporter Baker said that the proposals more easily from one school to major or who enter the system decrease, Fitch said. come from a need to stretch another by eliminating credit unsure about what they want to “Our philosophy is to make it The Board of Regents is gear state dollars at a time when transfer obstacles. If regents study. real easy for students to come in ing up to vote March 28 and 29 state funding for higher educa approve the proposal, it will be Shonk and ASUM President and use our health service,” she in Dillon on proposals that will tion is shrinking. At the same effective immediately for stu Matt Lee announced last week said. “We don’t want barriers to change the face of Montana’s time, he said, it is a matter of dents enrolled in university sys they would lobby regents in an care.* university system, Jeff Baker, giving all Montanans an equal tem programs. effort to sway their vote toward About 85 percent of the stu commissioner of Higher opportunity to attend college. The second and third propos a more “reasonable” cut off of dent body uses the clinic on Education, said Tuesday. “We want to be fair with all als of Phase II have sparked the 152 credits. average four times a year, Fitch Baker, the primary students, but it’s crunch time,” most controversy among UM If regents vote for the 120-cap said. spokesperson leading the Regent Colleen Conroy of students, according to ASUM proposal it will go into effect fall Health Services needs about regents in its Phase II restruc Hardin said. “We need to make leaders. 1996. The limit for state-subsi $215,000 for the inflation costs. turing process, said that the pro the system more accessible to The proposal calls for a low dized credits will be effective fall The $4 fee will generate about posals focus on how students more people.” ered cap on state-subsidized 1997. $87,000. The clinic plans to can “get in, get through, get a The first proposal will allow credits from 170 to 144 and a The fourth and final proposal decrease equipment costs and job, and pay the way.” university system students to decrease in the number of cred of Phase II calls for toughened operating expenses and increase The four proposals, slated for transfer their completed general its needed for an undergraduate admission standards. It involves lab, x-ray and medication costs action Friday morning, are education requirements from degree from 130 to 120. testing students’ proficiency 10 percent to compensate for the expected to provoke debate one college to another. “It’s a way to make the sys skills in English and math to $128,000 difference. Health because of their controversial UM President George tem more accountable to taxpay make sure they are prepared for Sendees could also allow stu nature, Baker said. Dennison and some faculty said ers and students by making it college-level work, Baker said. dents’ spouses to use the facili ty ASUM leaders and some fac the proposal was unfair because more efficient and effective,” “It’s about a smoother transi and charge students in violation ulty members have criticized it would allow students to get a Baker said. tion from high school to college of the conduct code for drug and and questioned the regent’s “get degree from UM without having But ASUM Vice President and about making sure students alcohol rehabilitation classes to in, get out” mentality because to meet UM’S standards. Dana Shook told the Kaimin the who come to college are quali generate revenue. they said it treats the university But Baker said the proposal plan makes it difficult for stu fied,” he said. E dWf rimnM 2 Montana Kaimin, Wednesday, March 27,1996 Opinion Baker opened doors to better education Higher education in Iowa counted a coup this week when Montana Commissioner of Higher Education Jeff Baker was hired as president of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Baker took the seat as Montana’s interim commis sioner of higher education in June 1993 and in September 1993 was named as com missioner. July 1 he will leave the commissioner’s seat to take the Kaimin reigns of Luther College. editorial Baker told the Kaimin the move is “bittersweet.” He said he has a “won derful opportunity at a top-notch school,” but he and his family will miss Montana and its people.