Two bills regarding differential tuition, which covers $1.2 million of tuition money, were passed in less than 10 minutes at Student Senate’s four-hour Monday night meeting.

Differential tuition covers portions of students’ academic life, including faculty-student research, first year experience courses, capstone courses and service learning, said interim Provost and Vice Chancellor Steve Tallant when introducing the two bills.

Senator Aaron Brewster asked Senate to approve the bill concerning differential tuition ranges for the 2006-2007 academic year, because the Academic Affairs Commission worked diligently on it.

Senate Adviser Jodi Thesing-Ritter prompted the mum Senate to ask Tallant a question before voting, because he waited roughly two hours for the Senate to debate and vote on the bill. Only one question was posed.

Tallant said he was not disappointed that there were no questions, but he was surprised.

“There are usually a few questions,” he said.

Between reviewing the two bills on differential tuition, Senate looked at amending the bylaws of its Public Relations Commission to allow for commission chairs. Senate approved the addition of chairs by a voice vote.

The most heated and lengthy debate of the evening involved discussion on a bill to amend the Elections and Campaign Procedures section of Senate’s bylaws, which opposed requiring a photo ID to vote and a resolution to support Wisconsin State Assembly Bill 239, which asks for a 3 percent tuition increase for the 2005-2007 fiscal budget.

The resolution to support a 3-percent increase in tuition was offered by Senator Tom Burton and was met with staunch criticism.

Intergovernmental Affairs Director Adrienne Roach voiced opposition to the resolution.

“Unfortunately someone has to take a hit,” she said. “We need to be grateful our (tuition) hasn’t gone up more.”

Finance Director Ray French also raised concerns about senators’ knowledge of the topic.

“A great deal of this body doesn’t understand (the bill),” he said.

The bill was voted down by a vote of 5-16-6.

Senators also spent about 20 minutes in a continuation of the April 4 debate concerning amending Senate bylaws on election procedures.

Senators remained conflicted on a portion of the bill that stipulates that students who run for student body president should be limited to $1,500 in campaign spending.

Debate began by resuming discussion on the third proposed amendment to the bill, introduced by Brewster. Shortly thereafter, he moved to strike his amendment.

The Senate considered making other amendments to the bill to appease all parties, but some senators began to voice concerns over the number of amendments being made.

Senator Brandon Buchanan requested that the Senate stop wasting time by making amendments.

Others then considered passing it to committee.

Student Senate President Aaron Olson stepped in to offer caution on taking that action.

“I think we’re becoming ‘throw it to committee’-happy,” he warned. Instead, he suggested senators go to authors of legislation before meetings with their concerns.

The bill passed by a voice vote.

Senate also concluded discussion on a bill proposing cover letters be added to legislation to add clarification of its intent.

Senator Nomi Nazeer gave the opinion of senators who attended a recent staff committee meeting. While a number of points to the bill were found to have merit, such as being able to use cover letters when reviewing bills in later years, he said, there were still logistical concerns about including cover letters.

The bill failed in a voice vote.

Senate wrapped up its marathon meeting on a lighter note, voting in favor of a National TV Turn Off week resolution.

The only major dissenting voice came from Senator Justin Greif, who proclaimed his love for the TV. Vice President Deanna Breault encouraged senators to participate in the week-long event, offering to hold “play groups.”

Student Senate will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in Davies Theater, Davies Center.