The Griffin: volume 53, issue 13 - Feb. 4, 1983

              USA To Fight $400 Tuition Increase Proposal by Noreen Wheeler Dr. Laurence W. Franz, vicepresident for business and finance here, explained at the Feb. 1 meeting of the Undergraduate Student Assembly that the college budget committee is proposing a $400 increase in tuition for the academic year 1983-84. Secondly, renovation of the campus Computer Center has required a $1 million term loan. First of all, financial aid from the government is predicted not to increase next year. Franz enumerated several reasons for the increase. by Jim Murphy A Student Senate Committee has voted to oppose completely the college administration's proposed $400 per year tuition increase. In a special meeting, on Feb. 1 in the Fireside Lounge, a 15 member task force entitled: the U.S.A. President's Committee voted unanimously to oppose outright the proposed increase. The committee plans to rally student support against the tuition increase, possibly with an insert notice in the student newspaper and a petition campaign. The group hopes to lobby the board of trustees to combat the increase through letters, telephone calls and personal visitations. Reasons cited for the increase by Fr. Edmund Ryan, S.J., Vice- President for Academic Affairs and Dr. Lawrence Franz, Vice-President for Business and Finance, include: a $1 million debt to M&T Bank on a loan for the computer center. $200,000 is this year's debt service on the laon, which comes out of the operating budget — "your tuition dollar" according to Dave Bolz, former chairman of the U.S.A. committee. Bolz added that "such a long range expense should come from other funds." The school budget also includes a $287,000 increase in institutional financial aid. Bolz stated that his needs "further investigation." Ryan and Franz also noted the rise in utility costs and the expense of rhe basketball program. The U.S.A. President's Commit- The USA voted to completely oppose the proposed tuition hike. Ne w* Staff Photographer JOHN hl.\ M Franz explained that the 6% figure for faculty is the smallest raise in 15 years at the college. He also claimed that of the 28 Jesuit colleges in the nation, only 2 have raised their tuition less than Canisius since 1977. In addition, natural gas prices may rise some 50% over the next year, and faculty earnings are slated to rise 6%. If the budget is approved, Canisius will add $280,000 to its financial aid plan for students. In the way of cuts, the budget proposes a $240,000 decrease in staff and administration costs. Dr. James Valone, associate dean of the school of Business, claimed that "students in the business school want to get out of classes as early as possible." He felt that "if students really want to get out and attend activities they will." Dr. Walter Sharrow, dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, said he is "intrigued by the proposal." He said he philosophically favors the idea, adding that he would like to hear student feedback. Dr. Thomas Miller, dean of students, admitted that the idea is "intoxicating". He could think of many ways in which to use this time, but added his concern that he was unsure if the period would "fill the needs of students." "If people had time to interact, they would enrich their college experience," (he said. Fr. Caruana, acting director of Campus Ministry, stated that the period would "allow time in the weekly schedule when people can meet for other than formal academic purposes." The proposed activities period was also discussed in the Senate. Five members of the faculty and administration presented comments to the Assembly. Mr. Blair Foster, registrar, said the period would be feasible but there would have to be a great deal of juggling done with (continued on page 6) Budget, activity period also discussed A Senate task force has been formed to review the problem and present suggestions to the college's Board of Trustees. along." He also noted that despite the increase, the college plans to cut student services by $350,000. He also stated that it amounts to a 10% increase in tuition, while the inflation rate was four percent. Bolz also questioned a faculty pay raise of six per-cent, stating that a four per-cent pay raise would enable the the remaining funds to be used to preserve services and jobs. tee also called for increased student participation on the Student Finance Committee and the College Budget Committee. There are presently two students on the Budget Committee. Terrence March, treasurer of the U.S.A., said that if the increase is approved, tuition will have doubled in four years. Bolz added, "In its cumulative affect, students have gotten it in the face all THE GRIFFIN "OVER A HALF CENTURY IN PRINT" VOLUME LIII, NUMBER XIII FEBRUARY 4, 1983 Dr. Lawrence Franz, vicepresident for business and finance, feels that the sound system will be a long-term benefit for the Rat because of the money it will save on bringing in outside disk jockeys and systems. The icecream bar, says Sgt. Wiza, has been a consideration for many years, thought it was installed just recently. by Clare Manuel Despite the fact that the Rathskeller has been maintaining steady business, its profits have significantly decreased, resulting in a serious problem, according to Sgt. Robert Wiza, manager of the facility. Wiza said the main reason for the financial trouble is the number of expenses it has incurred over the past year. "There were many equipment replacements, but the major problem was the amount of money that was spent on payroll expenses." Wiza explained that, in the past, the Rat had fourteen Work-Study students and three Payroll employees. This year, however, the Rat has received only seven Work-Study students and has ten people on the payroll. Because the Work-Study program receives 80% of its money from the Federal Government, the Rat did not have such a high payroll expense before. This year Wiza claimed that the drinking law has increased food business, and that the method that the Rat uses to deal with the law has not caused any problems. A partition is put up from Sunday to Thursday to separate students who are drinking from those who aren't, and during TGIF students under nineteen will not be allowed in the Rat at all. The reason for this, Sgt. Wiza said, is because it would be hard to separate the great number of people who go to the Rat on Fridays. beverages will increase, due to the new nineteen-year old drinking law. He said that the Rat does not want to cater to the "legal" students only, and this will be evident in the changes made. however, according to Anthony Battaglia, director of purchasing, between $180 to $200 a week is being spent for payroll expense, something that the Rat has never encountered before. The main reason for the Work-Study shortage is the non-availability of students to work in the Rat. "The students were just not interested or available to have a job in the Rat from the Work-Study program." The installation of a stereo sound system, a new fryer, and cash register, along with introducing an ice-cream bar, were more expenses for the Rat. Age of the old equipment was the main factor for these purchases, and the addition of an ice-cream bar and the sound system were installed to improve the Rat. I'hoto ■•mirt.'sy of A/.L tt I K Despite steady business, the Rat is in financial difficulty. The increase of variety of food items on the menu is another positive factor for the Rat. The icecream bar, and the new salad bar are two of the major additions to it. Battaglia also said that the availability of non-alcoholic Despite the negative financial aspects of the Rat, it is improving in many other ways. A delivery service to Dorm Rooms and Club rooms has just been started, something that Sgt. Wiza is optimistic about. He feels that many students will take advantage of this, especially later at night. Many changes are being taken to improve the Rat with the hope of increasing its profit. Despite the financial problems it has, it remains a popular place for many students to go. Rathskeller In Financial Trouble