The future of Davies Center will rest in the hands of three university governing bodies following a majority vote at Monday’s Student Senate meeting.
The Student Senate, the United Hall Council and the University Centers and Programs Advisory Committee ultimately will decide whether to use student segregated fees to renovate, expand or build a new Davies, but Vice President De Anna Breault stressed that no one will proceed with any plans against students’ wishes.
The Davies Exploratory Committee, chaired by Breault, will administer a second “Pick To Make Your Opinion Stick” survey shortly before Thanksgiving break to determine what students are looking for in a student union.
The committee then will use the data to make a recommendation to the three governing bodies.
Some senators voting against the resolution, which passed 22-4, argued students mostly were unaware of Senate’s resolution, saying there had been no coverage in campus media.
Senator Jon Radcliffe motioned to delay the resolution until next week, giving students more time to review the resolution’s implications, but the motion was voted down 20-5.
Other senators said Davies improvements should be placed directly in students’ hands through a referendum. Senator Justin Greif responded by holding up a copy of the Federalist Papers, saying students elected them to act in their best interest.
Breault stressed the importance of the survey.
“We’re not saying 60 people will be speaking for 10,000,” she said. “We want to give the survey as a guide for the
committee.”
In February of 2003, a referendum to build a new student union was defeated overwhelmingly, with more than 78 percent of students voting it down in the highest Student Senate election turnout in 28 years.
Many senators said a lack of advertising and education about the issue were deciding factors in its defeat, something that would contrast with this year’s campaign.
The Davies Exploratory Committee is hoping for one third of the student body to respond, building on a 25 percent student response to a similar survey last spring.
Breault said last year’s survey showed that 75 percent of students believed the university should renovate or expand Davies Center with a moderate to very high priority. This semester’s survey will expand and include potential costs.
Also in the Senate meeting, the Student Wellness Advocacy Team was awarded $1,500 in special allocation money for a trip to a national conference Nov. 10 to Nov. 13 in Orlando, Fla.
The allocation, which passed 23-3, unanimously passed in the finance commission last week. The SWAT team had asked for $1,000, but was awarded an additional $500 based on the need shown, Finance Commission Director Ray French said. An amendment putting the amount back at $1,000 failed.
“They approached us and asked for $1,000,” Senator Jacob Boer said. “It is our responsibility to … be responsible for funds. If they want to apply for funding, they should do it next year.”
Five team members in attendance argued they needed to attend the conference to bring in fresh ideas about dealing with alcohol problems on
campus.
The UWEC Foundation will match the special allocation, bringing the total to $3,000.
“It is need-based, and your money will be put to use,” team member Ashley Borman said.
Earlier in the meeting, Senate President Aaron Olson announced the library will be open 24 hours the week before finals, and another blue light was added near the new roundabout between Chancellors Hall and Hardees’s, 1000 W. Clairemont Ave.
