By Tealy Dippel staff reporter The House of Student Representatives unanimously approved a bill to amend House fiscal policies and procedures at its meeting Tuesday in the Student Center. The bill makes clear the financial relationship between House and Programming Council and defines how money will be spent by the two bodies of SGA. It also sets guidelines for the House treasurer. The bill was also unanimously approved by the Elections and Regulations Committee Thursday. "We approved the changes because if things aren't updated, governing bodies can't do their job," said Brian Becker, elections and regulations subchairman. Jason Cordova, chairman of the E&R committee, said the document is the structure and framework from which House works. "Without the current rules and regulations, the House would be in utter chaos," Cordova said. Cordova said if the House makes changes to the constitution, these changes must be reflected in secondary documents such as the election code and House bylaws. "It all starts with the constitution, it's a domino effect," Cordova said. Ben Jenkins, House treasurer and chairman of the Finance Committee, said the bill unanimously passed the Finance Committee vote last week. "We want to give money to promising groups who have a need for House support, but they have to meet our qualifications," Jenkins said. Jenkins said House members like to know how the funding of an event would affect the organization requesting the funds and how it would affect the campus as a whole. In other House business, a bill was submitted Tuesday to change the House bylaws and the standing rules. The bill was tabled to the Elections and Regulations Committee and will be debated and voted on at its meeting next Tuesday.
Tealy Dippel
By Matt Welnack staff reporter A Supreme Court case has brought national attention to the disbursement of money collected from student fees on university campuses. Scott Southworth, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, sued the school on the grounds that his money is helping to support political organizations that he does not agree with. The case, Board of Regents vs. Southworth, reached the Supreme Court Nov. 9. While a decision is not expected until late June, the case has sparked interest in the use of mandatory student fees. Full-time TCU students are charged a $650 flat rate for the general university fee and students with less than nine hours are charged $55 per semester hour. Director of Financial Services Dick Hoban said $4.7 million was collected last fall from general university fees. Hoban said organizations on campus are not allowed to receive money from the general university fund. Assistant Director of Student Services Wendy Crowley said the student fees are used mainly for services on campus such as the library and the health center. "Students are charged one fee and are entitled to use the library and the computer labs at no cost," Crowley said. "It's basically a user fee. Any university facilities are at the students' convenience." Students at TCU have mixed reactions to the use of their fees."I don't understand why they don't just take the money out of our tuition," said senior finance major Andrew Soule. Hoban said he is pleased with the way TCU handles the use of student fees. "The only advantage is that the university is able to use funds wherever they are needed," Hoban said. "The university needs to stay flexible. I think it works for this university." Soule said he thinks the money generated from student fees is not being used efficiently. He said he would like to see more maintenance done on the computer labs and have more labs on campus. Other students, though, said the money is being put to good use. "I think it is being used wisely," said senior history major Danny Dukes. "There are really nice facilities on campus, and the computer labs are really convenient." In addition to the general university fee, all students pay a $20 student government fee. House Treasurer Ben Jenkins said the majority of the money goes to the Programming Council to fund the various activities it plans throughout the year. He said for this fiscal year the Student Government Association has raised $260,000. Jenkins said the money that is raised also pays for the salaries of the officers, supplies and funds for organizations that request them. He said $10,400 is set aside for special projects and $4,000 is allocated for conferences and conventions. The student government fee can go to political organizations if the organizations request money and the proposal is approved by the finance committee and then the House. To change the fee, Jenkins said a referendum would have to be passed by the student body. He said, however, that he has mixed feelings on how SGA spends the money. "I think there are some things that happen where we would like to have more money," Jenkins said. "But, you want to prove to (the students) that we are spending their money well." Hoban said the only part of the $9.1 million annual budget that is allocated for a specific use is the 6.7 percent that goes to the athletic administration, which equals $610,000. Jack Hesselbrock, associate athletics director, said it is important to allow students to attend athletic events for free. "I think it is obvious that the student body is critical to our crowd base," Hesselbrock said. "Whenever we have a large student crowd, the (student-athletes) always make a comment about it." Both Soule and Dukes said having the free admission to games is one of the main reasons they attend. Soule said he probably would not pay to attend basketball games because they do not play as many big-name teams. "I have friends at other colleges who have to pay to go to games," Dukes said. "It is nice to be able to just flash the ID card."
Matt Welnack
By Jessica Schambach staff reporter From "Livin' la Vida Loca" to the Brandenberg Concertos, much has changed in the course of music. Robert Garwell, professor of music, has plans to integrate such disparate sounds into one class - From Rock to Bach. "The course is not about music fundamentals but how the elements of music work," said Garwell, who created the class. "It's how melodies, rhythms, harmonies and textures work to create style." The class will cover popular and classical musical styles and genres in the United States including rock, folk, jazz, film music and many others. Garwell said he has a diverse taste in music. His experience in music ranges from piano to music theater and jazz ensembles to rock bands. As a composer, Garwell has written everything from pop music to jazz and classical music to symphony orchestra. But now his focus is on teaching students a gamut of music and how to sequentially listen to and describe it. "What's unique is that I'm not sure if anyone has ever done this before," he said. "It may be one of a kind right now. I've never noticed a course where they pulled a bit of all different areas." Garwell said he was excited about the newly-developed course. "If you're looking for a class to come in and just sit and take notes and go home, then this isn't it," he said. "This class hopefully will be a lot of fun because I plan on having a lot of fun. What I'm trying to do is share the excitement, the enthusiasm and joy that I get from music." Garwell said an opportunity for interchange between himself and students, as well as between classmates, will be available. He said the class will compose both audio and visual material. He also said Room 141 of Moudy Building North has been re-outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. "I'll be doing presentations with DVD, laser disks and CDs," he said. "And a grand piano will be set up in the room. It's going to be a little fast-moving." From Rock to Bach is currently closed with 145 students and two on the waiting list. The class will return next fall if students have a positive response, Garwell said. Patrick Crocker, a freshman music theory composition major, said he will enroll in the course in the fall if it is open. "I'm always hearing about Beethoven and Mozart," Crocker said. "It's good to hear Billy Joel - you know, something a little different. It's good to get a break." Amanda Dunlap, a sophomore radio-TV-film major said she is also interested in taking the class. "It covers part of music that you normally don't think of as being taught," she said. Jarrod Hinton, a freshman computer science and marketing major, said he wants to propose an idea for the curriculum to Garwell. "I'm thinking of getting 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me' on DVD to see what we can talk about in class," said Hinton. "Because that's, you know, between the rock and Bach era - at least most of the music there. That would be a good thing to discuss." Jessica Schambach
By Tealy Dippel staff reporter When Ben Jenkins came to TCU in the Fall 1997, he was looking for a home away from home. Now, two years later, he has not only found a second home, but he has found an office. Ben Jenkins, who was recently named the new Student Government Association president, said he began brainstorming about holding an office his sophomore year. However, it wasn't until the few weeks leading up to the election that he decided to run, he said. "I don't consider myself a political person, but I wanted to make a difference on campus by running for president," said Jenkins, a junior international finance major. Jenkins, who is currently the House of Student Representatives treasurer and chairman of the Finance Committee, first got involved with House his freshman year when he joined in Spring 1998. Those in House who know him say he is someone who cares about TCU and its students. "Ben is an outgoing and inclusive person and likes to involve groups when making decisions," said SGA President Ben Alexander. "He is a good communicator which is a necessary part of the job." Nicholas Parks, a House town representative and member of the Finance Committee, said Jenkins is a perfect example of someone who genuinely cares for his constituents. "He is always interested in what's right instead of what's easy," Parks said. "He will keep SGA headed in the right direction because he brings strong leadership skills." Matt Louis, chairman of the House Technology Advancement Committee, said he has known Jenkins for seven years. He has always been concerned for others' welfare, he said. "If there's one word to describe Ben, it's 'determined'," Louis said. Jenkins, who is an only child from Austin, was involved in several activities in high school, including student government and speech and debate. He said he originally wanted to do something in international banking, but now thinks he would like to do something with technology and possibly be an adventure capitalist. The experience of SGA president will be a crucial one in terms of dealing with different personality types and groups of people, he said. TCU was the only school Jenkins applied to because after visiting, he was really impressed with what the school had to offer. "I have to say it's the people that I like most about TCU because there's always a welcoming, smiling face on campus," Jenkins said. The camaraderie on campus is already here, Jenkins said. By improving communication and encouraging students to get involved with different people, he thinks the closeness could grow even more. Jenkins said he is not sure what long-term effects his presidential experience will have on him because he said he will not know what he will gain until his presidency begins. "I just think of myself as working in the SGA office and working for the students. I'm just Ben Jenkins," he said.
Tealy Dippel
By Matt Stiver staff reporter Students were not trekking up and down the stairs. The din of conversations was not wafting through the halls and into the rooms. It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Roger Pfaffenberger, a professor of decision sciences and chairman of the Faculty Senate, leaned back in his chair and glanced into the hallway. "For a mid-week afternoon, there is not the usual amount of traffic and noise (in Tandy Hall)," Pfaffenberger said.
There exists a tradition on college campuses of students not attending the last day of class before Thanksgiving. Bob Frye, professor of English, has three classes scheduled for today. "I am expecting 100 percent attendance," Frye said. "I'm always a little disappointed (when students skip) because I prepare hard for my classes." The staff in Provost William Koehler's office said they would be working throughout the day. Chancellor Michael R. Ferrari has scheduled appointments and will also be in his office. Students, however, might not make it to class. Garry Stephens, a sophomore finance major, said he will not be making the trip to his two classes today. "I'm going home," Stephens said. "I'm from Iowa, so I have long drive ahead of me. My friend and I can make it home (tonight) if we leave in the morning. And I really want to get home." David Alexander, a junior history major, said he intends on going to class. "I am paying, what, $1,000 per class?," Alexander said. "I want to get my money's worth. But more than that, I think (being in class) is important because why else are we at college? I have to fly to California, and I will be in class." Pfaffenberger said it does not bother him when students miss class. "I don't take attendance," Pfaffenberger said. "I tell students it's their choice if they attend class or not. I guess I would be upset if I went to teach and there was no one in the classroom. "But the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, that's a tough call. If I were a student and I had a plane ticket and I just had to take off Wednesday, then I'm going to do it. If that meant missing two or three classes, then I would bite the bullet and try to make up the work."
Matt Stiver |
If that was Tuesday, what will today be like? | The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |