The Red and Black

Originally posted by

Anon

This is like saying "They shouldn't increase the cost of gas because we are consumers that are alrady struggling financially." As consumers (whether it be food, gas, education, etc) we are at the mercy of the enconomy. When the Universities need money to function, they have to increase costs to the consumers.

It is NOT the same. The board circumvented their own policies. We would have no problem with increased fees if there was never a policy to begin with calling for a specific process to raise them.

Originally posted by

Anon

This is like saying "They shouldn't increase the cost of gas because we are consumers that are alrady struggling financially." As consumers (whether it be food, gas, education, etc) we are at the mercy of the enconomy. When the Universities need money to function, they have to increase costs to the consumers.

The Board of Regents has a policy at the end of their policies allowing them to change or waive any of the policies at any time a recommendation is made to do so. However, there needs to be higher accountability for this. Why exactly did they feel the need to do this, and is this an abuse of that policy?

Originally posted by

Mark

Well Chris. Since I'm an employee in the system, I will speak for all system employees when I say, "Just be glad you're not on our end having our merit increases taken away mid-year and $720 per year out of pocket health insurance increase on health insurance that is barely worth it."

A $100.00 fee does not seem that much now does it.

Since I'm a college student who has not yet received my degree, I don't have a high paying occupation. Books every semester already cost me about $300. Most students are living on the edge of their means already. Finding another job with better benefits can be relatively easy. What are students supposed to do? I have to go to school regardless. 100 a semester, for two semesters, plus three hundred in books a semester, that's 800 a year out of pocket. (without regards to TVM)

I'm sorry UGA employees are facing losses, but UGA's financing departments could have decided to cut something instead.

Originally posted by

Michael

The issue here is not whether the Board of Regents can charge us extra fees or cut benefits for employees (the obvious answer is yes!), the issue is why did the Board choose not to follow its own policy? Higher Education has always hinted at following the rules. Why does it deter now?
And what is UGA planning to do with the extra $3.3 Million a semester? Pay for more T-Pain Concerts? Give out more free stuff? Run up their utilities bill?
Charging their "customers" more won't solve the problem, it never does.

I think you have the exact opinion which everyone needs to take on this issue. The issue is not that we have to pay $100 (we students already have enough bills which make that seem like pocket change), it's that it is a direct disobedience of law. And it seems to be a general concern among faculty, staff, and students alike that we don't trust that the extra 3 million is really going to solve the economic problem. I am actually working on a petition against this fee, but I really want to get stuff about the employees in there too. I used to love going to this school and I am upset that it has been so watered down from what it used to be. We need to make things better for EVERYONE. Let me know if you are interested in a collective university body effort to bring this in to question via petition or some other organized event.

I know everyone thinks that cutting spending is impossible, but if taken in baby steps it will make a big difference. Even simple things like turning off lights, recycling, and cutting wastes will help (in our 4 bedroom apartment alone it makes a difference of $30-60 a month). Finding sources of wasted money is a better idea than going so low as to force last-minute fees upon students and lay off or underpay employees.