MiddBrief SGA Update Meeting focuses on recent budget cuts and students' role in fiscal responsibility

Author: Nicole Lam

At this week's meeting, the Student Government Assoication (SGA) discussed the recent financial decisions made by the College administration which were made with little opportunity for input from SGA senators and committees.

"Although I understand that many concerns were sensitive issues that the trustees wanted to keep confidential, the SGA still feels that on some affairs, it should have had a say," said SGA President Bobby Joe Smith '09. "The SGA wants to play an active part in doing what it was created to do - represent the student body."

After reading President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz's e-mail, many SGA members were shocked at some of the cuts, such as the closing of Atwater dining hall, the decision to halt the recently expanded MiddView orientation program and the possibility of financial aid reductions.

"We feel that the trustees are trying their very best during this difficult time but there was still room for recommendations by the SGA," Smith said in an interview with The Campus. Chief Financial Officer Patrick Norton agreed to meet with the SGA on Feb. 16 to discuss the decisions made by the College.

However, Smith acknowledges that issues like faculty and staff employment and retirement pensions are concerns that students should try to be more sensitive about. Realistically, Smith said, sacrifices and compromises had to be made.

Moreover, during the interview, Smith acknowledged that many changes are temporary.

"As far as what I think about Atwater, the pre-orientation programs and classes during Winter Term, I think they were the right decisions, and will save the school a great deal of money," said Smith. "With the adjustments being made to Proctor and Ross, there will actually be a greater seating capacity for meals than there is currently with Atwater, FIC and Ross.

Smith explained that there will still be Winter Term courses but that they will be taught mostly by College faculty instead of visiting professors. Smith also stated that by eliminating MiddView and keeping the pre-orientation programs on campus, everyone will be included in these pre-orientation programs and the College will save money.

Topics other than the College's recent budget cuts were also discussed at this week's SGA meeting. Atwater Senator Ethan Schmertzler '12 suggested that Facilities Services consider lowering the temperature settings of the heating systems campus-wide to save energy and money.

"Many of the committee members noticed that students and professors were opening windows because the rooms were too hot and stuffy," said Smith. "We want to find a solution that would help the College financially."