On Oct. 23, USGD passed a senate resolution designed to express USGD’s—and by extension students’—support for the Arizona Board of Regents’ agenda to reduce costs in the university system.
Senate Resolution 3 encourages the Arizona university systems to be authorized to issue commercial paper and obtain commercial lines of credit–-a move which USGD Vice President of Policy Ryan Boyd said could enable low-interest finance options for funding university projects.
“Commercial paper is essentially another line of credit, which allows you to basically get funding for different projects,” Boyd said. “What that equates to is less interest and basically more options for the universities to fund their various (projects).”
Boyd cited the $650 million of uncompleted repairs to university buildings as an example of what the agenda would impact.
The resolution supports university systems establishing an independent benefits program, Heath Insurance Trust Fund reform and ABOR employee changes. These changes include benefits of employees, compensation insurance and freedom to establish retirement programs among other concerns.
Boyd said the “complicated” resolution is USGD’s effort to align itself with ABOR’s cost-reducing propositions.
“It’s a way for ABOR and the university to reduce their costs so that it isn’t pushed on the students,” Boyd said. “If we can get it, and if we can do enough of it, no tuition increase.”
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However, the complexity of this resolution is seen as a point of hesitation for interest groups.
James Arwood, executive director of Students for Affordable Tuition, thinks that any options to lower financial burdens on students could be a positive thing, but emphasized the importance of clarity.
“I would imagine that anything that can help bring down costs, (students) would support,” Arwood said. “We always have to be careful with what we do … we have to reflect on what the impacts on the university will be, not just on a one-year timespan, but going forward beyond that.”
In Arwood’s eyes, students should take it upon themselves to learn about complex issues like these and take more informed stances.
“It really pays off to inform yourself of the situations which impact you directly,” he said.
USGD plans to take a more active role in this informing process with the help of newly-appointed Director of Public Relations Savannah Harrelson. Her plan is to increase understanding by creating a blog for students.
“With these issues, it’s complicated stuff,” Harrelson said. “I want to get our policy team to write posts that can easily relate back to students about the stuff that we and the Arizona Legislature is working on.”
Contact the reporter at csmannin@asu.edu
