ASUN passes resolution in opposition to budget cuts

ASUN senators unanimously approved a resolution on Wednesday expressing their opposition to Gov. Jim Gibbons’ request of the University to cut up to 8 percent of its budget due to the state’s budgetary shortfall.

“The resolution urges Gov. Gibbons to seriously consider the devastating effects these cuts would have on University operations and the severe long-term consequences they would have on the education of students, their futures and ultimately the state of Nevada and encourages Gov. Gibbons to consider other means of stabilizing the state budget,” wrote Carmen Gilbert, Senator for the College of Liberal Arts, in an e-mail.

“The resolution also calls on state leadership, the President of the Associated Students and the students themselves to express their opposition to the budget cuts and to take all actions necessary to fight the budget cuts until an acceptable solution is presented. This is a very important issue with far-reaching consequences that the state will feel for years to come and the Associated Students will not rest until higher education and the future of this state are made priorities.”

Below is full text from Senate Resolution 75-28:

S. RES. 75-28
[Report No. 75–17]
Petitioning Governor Jim Gibbons to spare the Nevada System of Higher Education and the University of Nevada from devastating budget cuts.

IN THE SENATE OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS
DECEMBER 10, 2007
Ms. Gilbert, from the Committee on Public Affairs, reported the following bill; which was referred to the Senate agenda.

RESOLUTION
Petitioning Governor Jim Gibbons to spare the Nevada System of Higher Education and the University of Nevada from devastating budget cuts.
Whereas Governor Jim Gibbons has called for statewide budget cuts that include dramatic and potentially devastating budget cuts to the Nevada System of Higher Education and the University of Nevada;
Whereas the proposed 8 percent budget cut would reduce the University of Nevada’s appropriation by approximately 32.7 million dollars;
Whereas the appropriation reduction would require at the University of Nevada the suspension of searches for 55 faculty and classified positions, reduction of already underfunded operating budgets, elimination of library book acquisitions, elimination of equipment replacement, elimination of applied research initiatives, deference of network upgrades and maintenance, deference of FF&E for the Davidson Mathematics and Sciences Building, and other actions;
Whereas these actions would hinder the University’s ability to operate effectively in the present and negatively affect future endeavors by tarnishing the University’s proud image and prestigious reputation as a quality institution of higher education;
Whereas cuts of this magnitude would adversely affect the University’s ability to provide quality instruction, student services and other tools needed to ensure student success while attending the University and their success beyond graduation;
Whereas the budget cuts would also have hugely detrimental effects on the Nevada School of Medicine, the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Intercollegiate Athletics, Nevada Cooperative Extension Services, and other operations and schools system-wide;
Whereas these changes would have devastating impacts upon the University, its students and ultimately the state of Nevada; and
Whereas the Senate of the Associated Students of the University of Nevada cannot stand idly by and let the state undermine the proud mission of the University of Nevada and allow the students to suffer the disastrous effects of the proposed budget cuts: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the Associated Students that the Associated Students of the University of Nevada urge Governor Gibbons to spare the System and the University from budget cuts which would jeopardize the higher education and the future of the students of the University of Nevada by finding different means to stabilize the state budget which could include, but are not limited to, utilization of the “Rainy Day” Fund, seeking other revenue sources, or reexamining the budgets of other state agencies;
Resolved, That the Associated Students of the University of Nevada expect leadership in the state of Nevada to oppose the proposed budget cuts and advocate for quality education as an investment in our community;
Resolved, That the Associated Students of the University of Nevada will continue to act in opposition to the proposed budget cuts until such a time as an acceptable solution is presented;
Resolved, That the Senate of the Associated Students requests that the President of the Associated Students take any and all action necessary to express the position of the Associated Students regarding the budget cuts.
Resolved, That the Senate of the Associated Students calls on members of the Association to express their concern over the Governor’s plan to cut the higher education budget by 8 percent in each year of this biennium.
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to Governor Jim Gibbons, Chancellor James E. Rogers, the Nevada State Legistlature Interim Finance Committee, the Nevada Board of Regents, the President of the University, The President of the Association, the President of the Graduate Student Association, the Chair of the Faculty Senate, the other NSHE Institutions’ Presidents and Student Association Presidents, the Nevada Sagebrush, and other state and local media outlets.

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