Editor,
Over the past couple of weeks, I have seen a number of letters in the Daily Lobo from the PAC slate, which is currently running nine candidates for the ASUNM Senate. These letters all contained what appeared to be intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the ASUNM Senate. The vast majority of these claims, however, are not supported by any intimate knowledge at all.
As PAC made clear in its Candidate Endorsement Forum speeches, its candidates all seem to have a burning desire to sit on the ASUNM Finance Committee. As the chair of this committee, I feel I am qualified to provide them with answers to any and every question they have about the student funding process, but I have not been approached by a single member of the slate. Furthermore, I have not seen any PAC members present at Finance Committee meetings to observe how the committee reaches its conclusions about funding.
The ASUNM Senate and all seven student service agencies are as inclusive as possible to better serve the student body. If students are interested in finding out more about these entities, they can visit Unm.edu/~asunm. There, they will be able to find the names and office hours of all 20 senators.
ASUNM senators are always eager to discuss the questions and concerns of undergraduate students. The ASUNM Senate office is in the plaza level of the SUB in Room 1016. A senator is there nearly any time of day who will talk with you and take your concerns to the full Senate or committee.
Many students are rightfully concerned with rising tuition costs, but tuition is a vital component in the success of a university of this size. The state Legislature determines the amount that tuition will need to rise, and the Board of Regents must adjust tuition and fees accordingly. ASUNM President Brittany Jaeger always fights adamantly for the students, particularly when it comes to tuition and fees. The ASUNM Lobby Committee, one of the volunteer-based student service agencies open to all undergraduates, deals directly with the state Legislature to influence the amount that tuition will increase. The committee holds a number of events throughout the year where students can meet with legislators.
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ASUNM does much more than put the UNM logo on napkins in the SUB. Senators sit on the SUB Board that is responsible for all
aspects of the building and its operations. The Senate worked to make men's basketball tickets free for students. Jaeger is working to get lights on Johnson Field to ensure safety and promote more participation in intramural activities.
The events created by student service agencies range in purpose from increasing school spirit to increasing student outreach to the city through community service projects, such as Spring Storm and Fall Frenzy. This year, those two events consisted of 980 volunteers, suggesting a large amount of inclusion. One agency, Community Experience, does at least one community service event each week.
The ASUNM fee of $20 is far less than the other fees that comprise student costs. ASUNM understands that $20 is still a large fee, which is why the Senate currently finds it unreasonable to raise it. If students would like to see this fee raised in order to increase funding for organizations, they should visit the Senate office.
There are ways to gain information, and I suggest that every student do so before pointing fingers at ASUNM and accusing it of failing to serve the students of UNM.
Adam Foster
ASUNM senator,
Finance Committee chairman
