Resolution 40

A RESOLUTION TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO STATE STUDENT SENATE’S POSITION ON THE STUDENT PUBLICATIONS FEE

Short Title: Student Publications Fee Increase Proposal Act

Sponsors: Senators Hoynacke (Corresponding)

Signatories:

Referred to:                        

Version: Initial

First Reading: September 26, 2012               Second Reading: [Fast-track intended]

WHEREAS,   Student Publications is requesting a fee increase to take affect in the 2013-2014 school year; and,

WHEREAS,   the Student Publications Fee provides NC State with six student communication outlets: the Agromeck, Technician, Nubian Message, Windover, WKNC, and WOLF TV; and,

WHEREAS,   the student media at NC State exists for the purpose of informing and entertaining NC State students, as well as surrounding community members and peers in the journalism profession; and,

WHEREAS,   the students who work in NC State’s student media gain valuable and professional publication experiences not offered in other settings at the university; and,

WHEREAS,   student media does an excellent job of generating an average of $350,000 yearly through non-fee sources, such as advertising and other sponsorships; and,

WHEREAS,  Student Publications at NC State has requested and received no more than a $0.50 increase since the 2008/2009 academic year, and are now requesting a fee increase of $5.50, which would bring their total yearly fee to $21.00; and,

WHEREAS,   approximately a third of the fee increase will be used to fund capital projects necessary to maintain WKNC operations to be in compliance with FCC guidelines, which means the purchase of materials needed to extend the life of their current radio transmitter as well as convert to HD Radio by the year 2015-2016; and,

WHEREAS,   approximately another third of the fee increase will be used to fully fund a Production Assistant for print media (the Technician and Nubian Message), a position left vacant for two years, and much needed for the support of the student leaders and other student staff on print media; and

WHEREAS,  approximately the last third of the fee increase will be used to offset the state mandated salary raises to both EPA and SPA employees who work for print media; and now therefore be it,

RESOLVED, that the Student Senate supports a fee increase of $3.66 out of the requested $5.50, so as to cover the cost of the state mandated salary increases, as well as half the cost of the WKNC transmitter project and the salary for the full-time Production Assistant; and be it further,

RESOLVED, that the Student Senate encourages Student Publications to consider charging at least a $10 fee for each Agromeck, as well as hiring a graduate student as the Production Assistant instead of a full-time employee; and be it further,

RESOLVED, that the Student Senate believes that during these times of economic recession that every office, program, and department on campus, including Student Publications, should look to use their current budgets more effectively by thinking carefully about their programming and mission, and reorganizing their budgets and spending habits to align with that thinking; and be it further,

RESOLVED, that the Student Senate requests the Chancellor and Fee Review Committee give strong consideration to these recommendations.