UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDENT UNION

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

January 18th, 2007                                                                               66LCB#2

 

Sponsored by:                          Andrew Aitchison                                 Tri-Executive

                                                Ashley Nakagawa                                Tri-Executive

                                                Scott McEachron                                 Rep-at-Large

 

Authored by:                            Andrew Aitchison                                 Tri-Executive

                                                Ashley Nakagawa                                Tri-Executive

 

 

A Bill

Bill History

 

An issue exists with the language of the dedication plaques to be placed in the ATLAS, Wolf Law, and new Business buildings.  This language was designated in 60LCB#15, a bill passed on April 15th, 2004:

 

SECTION 7: Each building must have a plaque located at the main entrance that states:

“The (NAME OF THE BUILDING) was constructed with student fees and is dedicated to the students of the University of Colorado at Boulder. The University of Colorado Student Union made this building possible by supporting a capital construction fee when the State of Colorado would not fund capital projects in higher education.”

 

The phrase of concern is, “the State of Colorado would not fund capital projects in higher education.”  This phrase is not entirely correct.  The State of Colorado’s contributions, while not extensive, are as follows: Wolf Law - $1.5 million, ATLAS - $1.6 million, Business – $0.8 million.  This information was not available to the authors of 60LCB#15, which accounts for the error in language.  Furthermore, the purpose of the plaques is to commemorate the students of the University of Colorado at Boulder for taking the initiative to invest in University infrastructure when it is clearly not required.  Additionally, this language could not and did not take into account the existence of a state government friendly to higher education, and therefore reflects outdated negativity.

 

Bill Summary

 

This bill amends Section 7 of 60LCB#15 to modify the language described above in order to ensure the dedication plaques serve the basic function of commemorating students, as well as to promote a positive relationship with the State Legislature.

Reasons for instating this change are as follows:

-The information available to the authors of 60LCB#15 was not complete and that information is available to students now.  

-The purpose of the dedication plaques is to recognize students for their outstanding contribution, not to chide the State of Colorado.

-The language purported in Section 7 of 60LCB#15 is unnecessarily strong at the expense of the State of Colorado which may serve to create undue animosity between the State of Colorado and the University of Colorado Student Union. 

-The newly elected State Legislature and Governor have expressed an increased level of friendliness towards higher education in the state of Colorado.

-The current legislative body of UCSU has the advantage of three years of perspective and the ability to correct past indiscretions.

 

 

THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Council of the University of Colorado Student Union, THAT:

 

SECTION 1: In recognition of the fact that the Law School dutifully complied with previous legislation providing for the installation of a dedication plaque, the UCSU shall purchase the replacement plaque and installation, required by this legislation.

 

 

SECTION 2:  Section 7 of 60LCB#15 is replaced with the following:

            “Each building must have a plaque located at the main entrance that states:

‘The (NAME OF BUILDING) was constructed with student fees and is dedicated to the students of the University of Colorado at Boulder. The University of Colorado Student Union made this building possible by going above and beyond its duties to support a capital construction fee when traditional sources of funding were limited.’”

 

SECTION 2: ENACTMENT: This Bill shall take effect upon passage by Legislative Council and obtaining the signatures of the Tri-Executives.

 

Vote Count

1/18/07                                                Passed 1st Reading                           13-2-0

1/25/07                                                Passed 2nd Reading                          9-7-1

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________________              ______________________________

Joseph Martinez                                                        Ashley Nakagawa

UCSU Legislative Council President                        UCSU Tri-Executive

 

 

 

___________________________________              ______________________________

Andrew Aitchison                                                       Charles Johnson

UCSU Tri-Executive                                                  UCSU Tri-Executive