8 THE CAMPUS PRESS APRIL 11 - 17, 2006 APRIL 11 - 17, 2006 THE CAMPUS PRESS 9

I N F OCUS »
Elect ‘em or Reject ‘em ...
Story by Katelin James ~ Photos by Lauren Contillo ~ Design by Debra Thiegs

... But do use your voice. Itʼs voting time at CU, and students have until April 14 to cast their vote for both what theyʼll be charged, and who will be in charge next year at the University of
Colorado Student Union. Hereʼs an election overview:

Referenda Representatives
UCSU Legislative Council is divided into two houses: the council of Colleges and Schools and
Representatives Council. Both meet every other week as Legislative Council during the summer and fall
semesters. They both consider funding requests from student organizations for events and travel. For the

Rundown at Large 2005-2006 fiscal year, each house has approximately $23,000 to allocate according to junior marketing
major Corey Fitze, UCSU election commissioner.

The 2006 UCSU Referenda consists of legislation that will

increase student fees by student approval. Student groups or
activities either renewing funding or petitioning for first time
funding must obtain a minimum of 1,000 student signatures
in their support to qualify for the UCSU ballot. The amount
each group requests is multiplied by the number of registered
students, or approximately 28,400.
Currently three annually elected students act as student body presidents- or tri-execu-
tives- presiding jointly over the $30 million budget of the University of Colorado Student
Union. Elected in the spring, tri-executives of UCSU also represent the student voice to
the community and the university.
Tri-Executive
Candidates
From April 10-14, students will have the opportunity to choose between two tri-
executive platforms: the Marvel Ticket and Class Act. Platforms are structured by a set
Amnesty International of goals related to student fees, diversity, the environment, Greek life, academics, student
The human rights organization Amnesty International requests a groups, safety, athletics and campus unity.
renewal of funding at the rate of 35 cents per student per semester for
another four years. Past budgets have funded renowned speakers at a cost
UCSU tri-executive candidates on the Ribbon recommendations, increased fund-
of $6,000 to $8,000 per speaker, and three to five co-sponsored events at the
Marvel Ticket are senior environmental ing for student groups, lobbying state
cost of $2,000 per semester. Last fall the chapter hosted freelance journalist
studies major Rob DuRay, who is currently legislators for increased funding for higher
and photographer Lorna Tychostup to speak on her experiences covering
serving his second year as the UCSU envi- education, improving campus image, insti-
the war in Iraq. This spring the chapter hosted author Thomas Pogge to
ronmental director, junior MCD biology tuting course repetition as a permanent
speak on world poverty and human rights. Senior political science major John Sharza (left) shakes hands with freshman business major
Charles Gilford (center) while talking to senior enviromental studies major Rob Duray (right) major Karen Shimamoto, who currently program, instituting reading days before
Thursday, April 6 on Farrand Field. Duray is a part of the Marvel Ticket and Gilford is a part of serves as the UCSU diversity director, finals, and implementing environmental
CU Crew the Fantastic 4. and junior sociology and political science justice programs.
The club rowing program CU Crew has remained a student-run and major Israel Garcia, who served as presi- “One of our primary focuses is on
self-funded organization since its inception in 1992. To help expand the dent of UCSU Freshmen Council. implementing and continuing environ-
club, legislation requests funding at the rate of 45 cents per student per Illiterate Magazine Other student groups with candidate mental programs, especially because they
semester for the next four years. One of the largest club sports, CU Crew The free quarterly magazine of student art, prose, poetry, essay, photo involvement on the Marvel Ticket include save the university money,” said DuRay.
consists of eight paid coaches and 100 participants who compete nationally and comic submissions published by the student-run and self-funded CoPIRG, CuWATCH, NAACP, SORCE, ”Savings earned with environmental jus-
in an NCAA Division I. A budget would fund new equipment and maintain Illiterate Magazine requests funding at the rate of 92 cents per student per Shoulder2Shoulder, the Cultural Events tice programs will be put into social equity
existing equipment, coachʼs pay, travel expenses and the addition of a boat- semester for the next four years. The budget will fund publishing costs and Board, Blue Ribbon Commission, and the programs like diversity, which will help
house at the Boulder reservoir. allow for an increased quarterly distribution in addition to funding events Center for Multicultural Affairs Advisory build a positive atmosphere for diversity.”
hosted by the group. Currently the group has published one magazine issue board and Asian Unity. A complete platform and candidate
and hosted a combination of events that include art auctions and concerts Proposed goals presented in the plat- information can be found at www.themar-
benefiting local organizations. form by the Marvel Ticket candidates velticket.com.
include: the implementation of Blue
Speech and Debate Team
Initiated last September, the competitive speech and debate team
requests funding at the rate of 31 cents per student per semester for the next
four years. Within the last year the team has competed in three tournaments. The UCSU tri-executive candidates image, increased attention to positive
Funding will allow for an opportunity to compete in more tournaments in of Class Act are sophomore architecture campus events and initiating spending
following semesters. In addition, a budget will cover entrance fees for tour- major Ashley Nakagawa, junior finance reports to assure accountability for stu-
naments, pay for a part-time coach and cover travel expenses. major Charles Johnson, who currently dent fee spending.
serves as USCU co-director of finance, “The biggest issue on campus is not
skyRide and senior anthropology major Andrew one specific issue, itʼs how issues are
SkyRide, The Regional Transportation Districtʼs bus service from Aitchison. being addressed. Instead of having one
Boulder to Denver International Airport, requests the addition of 15 dollars Other student groups with candi- person come up with a solution, the best
per semester per student to maintain service. Previously, student fees have date involvement on Class Act include way to solve issues would be to have a
maintained funding for the bus pass that allows students unlimited access to Amnesty International, the Distinguished variety of people working for a common
all routes in the metro area. With increased costs of transportation, student Speakers Board, UCSU Proper, Student goal,” Johnson said. “There are so many
fees can no longer adequately fund the inclusion of the skyRide route in the Organization Committee, Omega Honor different student groups on campus with
bus pass access. Without funding skyRide, the fare will be $10 per trip. Society, Appellate Court Justice and the knowledge that need to come together
Freshman Council. for the interest of the students and uni-
Government of Graduate Students (UGGS) Proposed goals presented in the plat- versity.”
UGGS requests a renewal of funding at the current rate of $4.50 per form by the Class Act candidates include A complete platform and candidate
graduate and professional student per semester for the next four years. extending library hours, improving the information can be found on www.vote-
Funding supports academic conference travel, graduate student group CU Recreation Center, increased funding classact.com.
A chalking outside the UMC the week before UCSU student elections promotes The Marvel events to help diversify graduate and professional students. for student groups, improving campus
ticket, a team of three undergrads running for tri-executives.