To The Editor:
I am writing to let students and others know about some student-life initiatives following the recent vote by the Board of Trustees regarding next year's College budget, which was put forward by the senior officers of the College.
The $10 per term increase in the student activities fee will make possible an annual additional allocation of approximately $100,000 to be managed by the Undergraduate Finance Committee (UFC), in consultation with the Dean of Student Life. This increase of funding of student activities and programs, via the Undergraduate Finance Committee, responds to the very persuasive case made by the Student Assembly, as well as by students involved with the UFC, Council on Student Organizations, and other groups, that the extent and variety of student activities requiring reasonable funding has significantly outpaced the limits on funds available through the student activities fee. (For a number of years, the rate of increase in that fee had been tied to the rate of increase in tuition, and because of the relatively small amount of dollars involved, the amount available for distribution by the UFC was overly constrained.) This infusion of funds for distribution by the UFC should address that need.
The budget approved by the Trustees also makes available funds to make the position responsible alcohol education and abuse prevention full-time, rather than part time. In addition, funds will be available for expanding our alcohol education and prevention programming.
Finally, an additional increment of funds will be made available to the Office of Student Life for ongoing support of initiatives that provide social alternatives, that support the development of student leadership, and that support diversity within the community.
This funding is in addition to funds allocated this current year for a variety of enhancements to student life, including improvements in the Collis Center, expansion of gym hours, life-safety improvements in residence halls, and funds for the Undergraduate Finance Committee. It reflects an on-going commitment by the senior officers and Trustees to support student life at a level of excellence comparable to students' academic experience.
