Editor,
As a member of the GPSA Council, I am disappointed in the representation of the New York Times proposal in reporter Kallie Red-Horse’s story, “Grads want ASUNM to pay more for Times tab.”
The desire to collaborate with ASUNM was repeatedly voiced during consideration of this proposal, but the article presented yet another division between the two student governments.
This portrayal is inaccurate and harmful for future collaborations.
The issue was tabled for several reasons. First, it was brought to the council’s attention that all issues of the New York Times are already accessible through the ProQuest Database from the library system, all the way back to 1851.
Secondly, it was not clear where the distribution boxes were going to be, and whether parts of campus heavily populated by graduate students would receive any benefit from the offer. Finally, the remaining benefit of guest speakers was unclear. The issue was tabled, and ASUNM was asked to present the contract for review.
My constituents would like hard copies of the New York Times, and it is an interesting proposal. The issue was tabled again (as it was in the January Council meeting) because there was not enough information to decide whether it was a fiscally responsible commitment.
ASUNM worked hard to free up an additional $800 in its budget for the proposal, but GPSA was still being asked to fund approximately 70 percent of the proposal with little guarantees that graduate and professional students would receive the benefits.
Budgets on campus are tight, and no blame is placed on ASUNM for recognizing its limits.
It’s a shame that the GPSA Council seemed to be criticized for a similar desire to be prudent.
Corbin Casarez
GPSA representative
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