ASUC Update

Shrinking funds, a new drop deadline, and webcasting?

By Alisa Farenzena and Kerry Eskenas
From the November 2004 Print Edition

As we approach the end of the semester, the Patriot checked in with the Senate to find out the latest ASUC developments. We’ve learned they’re more disciplined on spending, concerned about changes in class scheduling, and preparing for a web-cast premiere

ASUC Contingency Fund

The student government’s contingency fund has more money in it than it did last year at this time.

The contingency fund—which began the year with $21,855.87—currently has $8,139.87, according to ASUC Finance Officer Connie Hsu, who explained that the fund last year “around this time was near or at $0.”

The ASUC maintains the fund primarily to assist new student-activity groups, publications, and service groups, but also to assist existing groups that didn’t receive funding during the spring budgeting process.

ASUC Senator Manuel Buenrostro attributes the slower depleting of the fund to greater scrutiny in this year’s Senate.

“We are definitely scrutinizing every bill asking for funding more than we have in the past,” said Buenrostro.

Additionally, the ASUC has imposed soft caps on the amount of money it gives to student-activities groups, Buenrostro explained. These levels are $150 for first-year organizations and $300 for second-year organizations, as opposed to the respective $200 and $400 limits dictated in the ASUC constitution.

Drop Deadline Changed

Robert Holub, Dean of the Undergraduate Division of the College of Letters and Science, has decided to move the drop deadline to an earlier date despite a student petition and protests from the ASUC.

In the past, students have been able to wait until the eighth week of the semester before having to decide on a finalized schedule. Starting next fall, however, the drop deadline will be at the fifth week for most classes and at the second week for impacted courses. Although the specific courses that will be classified as “impacted” have yet to be determined, it has been promised that very few classes will be thus categorized.

Holub issued a statement explaining the controversial decision, in which he said that the change “seeks to maximize the opportunity for students to take the courses on campus that are essential for their education and that have the highest demand” and that it “aims to increase the efficacy of education for all undergraduates by having courses settle down earlier in the term.”

Student concerns have centered on the difficulty they encounter when trying to get into classes through Telebears. Decisions about which classes to permanently enroll in will be more rushed from now on. In most cases up to this point, students had been able to see their performances on the first midterms before deciding whether or not to drop a class.

“I’m shocked that they actually did that,” said Berkeley student Reyna Lange. “It’s just going to be a disaster next year for registration. It’s definitely not in the best interests of the students who go here.”

Advocates of the change point to the fact that students who stay in classes for a long time and eventually drop prevent those who genuinely want to add the class from doing so. The earlier drop deadline will force students to solidify their schedules early on so they can focus on work, not registration issues, for the majority of the semester. Others who support the change believe a great deal of commotion is being made about a policy that won’t affect most students.

“You can get whatever classes you want as long as you talk to the professor,” said student Emily Matienzo. She cites that registration has never been a problem for her.

The new policy will go into effect in Fall 2005, so both sides will have to wait and see if the logistical benefits outweigh the potential disadvantages to students.

Webcasting

Students may, in the future, have the ability to observe their student government from the comfort of their own homes.

Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) Senate meetings may be webcast on Cal TV as early as next semester.

“The idea to broadcast started last year,” said Cal TV’s Ryan Panchabsaran, adding that he hopes to webcast at least one Senate meeting by the end of the year.

“It requires a few dedicated people willing to film the Senate, edit it a little bit and make a final version of it, and get it to Cal TV; then Cal TV would upload it,” Panchabsaran said. “It would take 15 to 20 hours a week.”

If Cal TV goes through with its plan, students will be able to watch the uploaded films at any time. That way, even if they were unable to attend meetings on Wednesday nights, they could see what the ASUC Senate does.

“It’s a great idea,” said ASUC Senator Manuel Buenrostro. “More people should be able to see what we’re doing.”

ASUC Executive Vice President Christine Lee acknowledged the service’s potential to break down barriers between the ASUC and students. “I do think webcasting of Senate meetings would create more transparency,” said Lee. She doubts, however, that there would be much interest. “I don’t feel that most students would watch it on their free time.”

Sophomore Anna Zhang said that she would watch it only if the ASUC was discussing a personally relevant issue. “Knowing how long their meetings usually go, I probably wouldn’t watch it [otherwise],” Zhang said. “From what I hear, its seems like they’re more into fighting than actually discussing the issues at hand.”

Sophomore Marcin Zemla, however, said he would be interested in watching the meetings. “If I have time, I probably would,” said Zemla, adding that he would be more likely to watch a Senate meeting on the Internet than in person.

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