Student Council members passed a resolution last night urging Gov. Mark R. Warner to support increased University funding through bond bills.
The bond bills already passed the Virginia House and Senate earlier this month, but require Warner's signature before going on the statewide ballot in this fall's general election.
Senate Bill 31 and House Bill 99, also known as the "Commonwealth of Virginia Educational Facilities Bond Act of 2002," would provide $48.7 million for University construction projects. The money will provide funds for a new materials science engineering building, a new medical research building, renovations of the Gilmer Hall teaching labs and Fayerweather Hall, including the University Art Museum.
"This shows Student Council reaffirms the effort that higher education be the governor's priority," saidCollegeRep. Mark Straub, the resolution's sponsor.
Straub said he believed the bill's passage is important in ensuring the University "not fall behind its peers."
"Virginia has never made a strong commitment to higher education," he added.
Student Council President Abby Fifer also voiced support for the resolution during the meeting.
"I am particularly interested in this resolution passing as part of a larger effort that includes letter writing campaigns, phone calling campaigns and visits to Richmond," Fifer said. "Upper level administration members and Board of Visitors members have asked where the Student Council stands on this issue."
A number of representatives, however, questioned the effectiveness of the resolution.
"So a bunch of students from U.Va. want more money spent on U.Va. - surprise, surprise," College Rep. Dan Burrows said.
Jane Walker, representative for the School of Continuing and Professional Education, said she does not believe the resolution will have any impact on Warner's decision-making.
"I think it's kind of a fruitless effort," Walker said. "They get tons of resolutions from student councils in Virginia. It's individual voters that count."
In addition to this proposal, Council also passed a resolution to adopt the Safety Concerns Committee's third annual safety report.
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