Resolution 41

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

Short Title: Ed and Tech Fee Increase Position Act

Sponsors: Senators Collier (Corresponding)

Signatories:

Referred to:

Version: Initial

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

WHEREAS, the Ed Tech fee is currently $394.50 per year; and,

WHEREAS, the proposed increase for this fee is $15.00 for a total of $409.50 per year for the 2013-2014 academic school year; and,

WHEREAS, the mission statement for the NC State Libraries is to be a “gateway to knowledge for the NC State University community and partners,” and to “define the leading edge of information services and collections to support the University's mission and to further knowledge in the world;” and,

WHEREAS, the $15 increase would support education and technology for students using the new James B. Hunt Jr. Library; and,

WHEREAS, the Hunt Library will be faced with new ongoing maintenance costs and technology upgrades; and,

WHEREAS, NCSU Libraries is requesting an increase of $500,000 to its base ETF allocation to meet the college average; and,

WHEREAS, the addition of the Hunt library will add 1,750 new study seats on campus; and,

WHEREAS, the new learning commons would include multi-screen work stations, and interactive computing; and,

WHEREAS, the new group study rooms will include 46” flat panel displays, whiteboard walls, video conferencing, and wireless multi-laptop collaboration; and,

WHEREAS, the media Production, Presentation, Practice, and Usability Lab will include HD, 3D, and Ultra HD video editing and production, hi fidelity audio production, green screen, studio lighting as well as capture, review, edit and sharing software; and,

WHEREAS, the libraries have programs in place for fundraising for both the DH Hill Library and the new Hunt Library such as naming endowments and “Buying a Brick;” and, therefore be it

RESOLVED, some of the technology being considered such as the game lab is not necessary for the mission of the library; and be it further,

RESOLVED, the technology in Hunt library could be added over the first 3-5 years it is open as opposed to front loading the costs during its first year; and be it further,

RESOLVED, that the Student Senate of North Carolina State University supports a fee increase of $13.00 to help cover the costs of the technology, but encourages the libraries to continue fundraising to help offset the costs to students; 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 Education and Technology, 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, the Student Senate urges the Chancellor and the Fee Review Committee to give consideration to these recommendations.