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All, This message was in response to a note I sent Chris Washburn, the SGA Treasurer at the University of Maine, Orono. Chris and I worked on the budget process project together, and we recently talked about funding and racial issues. Check it out... Good luck with exams! Regards, James Richards JRIV > -----Original Message----- > From: [log in to unmask] > [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Monday, May 04, 1998 10:31 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: RE: RE: RE: UM's Budgeting Process > > [log in to unmask],.Internet writes: > >So let me know on the race equity issue, I look forward to your > >response. Again, thanks for all your help with my research over the > >semester, it was great speaking with you. Keep in touch. > > James, > > Racial issues have recently escalated here on campus. We have had > several racially motivated situations crop up over the past two > semesters and the minority students here on campus are really > beginning > to react. For instance last week there was a Diversity Rally held on > the lawn of the President's home, protesting what many feel is his > lack > of making significant steps toward diversifying our campus. At UM we > only have 60 black students, and far fewer of each of the other > minorities and only 1 black professor. This issue is becoming bigger > each day and I am sure that at UVM the emotions are very mixed as they > are here. > > As far as funding goes, we don't make any distinctions among groups > based on what they are intended to do. When our Budgetary Committee > meets the discussion focuses on what each group has contributed to the > campus community and what they plan to contribute for the upcoming > year. We have always felt that a small group focusing on specific > issues such as diversity may be better able to benefit the student > body > than a large group that does little more than hold weekly meetings. > Our Black Student Union and American Indians @ UM are the two largest > club budgets that are normally funded at UM. This is not however do > to > the political correctness of doing so. We do this because they are > tremendously active groups that are out in the campus and local > community providing educational and social programs for everyone. We > have had circumstances where minority groups receive little or no > funding the same as any other group that cannot show that they are > making a contribution to our campus or cannot meet the guidelines set > in order for them to receive funds. So I guess what I am saying is > that I think at UM the SG has traditionally done a very good job of > remaining color blind. Not everyone would agree with me on this issue > but if they did this wouldn't be America would it. > > If you or anyone else there is interested in more of what is happening > on this campus in regards to diversity issues you might contact: > > Ebony Laprocina, student senator > Dwight Rideout, Dean of Student Life (and really cool guy) > Adonis Ferreira, Associate Dean of Multicultural affairs > Wesley Petteway, President Student Heritage Alliance Council > They are on the same e-mail system through which you are contacting > me!! > > I would like to have a copy of your report. It sound like things > worked out very well for you. As for the long senate meeting this is > typical for UM. We usually last anywhere from 3 to 10 hours in senate > debating the budget once it is presented. I chalk it up to senators > fluffing their feathers in front of the press and their constituents. > You also are never going to please all 100 groups and someone is going > to debate why a particular group got less than another or make a > motion > to give/take more money to/from a group. > > Keep in touch. > Chris Washburn > 840 S. Main St. #5 > Old Town, ME 04468