By Kelsi Peace, Managing Editor
In the closest vote this semester, the Students’ Association Congress struck down a resolution to express SA’s concern over the university’s financial decisions.
Debate was just as close as the 14-16 vote, with one abstaining. The resolution, which was written by senior senator Brandon Smith, cited the cost of the new iPhone plan, the 7-percent tuition increase and faculty and staff contract non-renewals before declaring a “deep concern over the financial decisions being made within the university,” according to the document.
“For this student government, our choice ought to be that we chose to be a voice for students on campus,” Smith said. “I think it’s time that we take a stance on issues of tuition.”
Smith said since he enrolled in the university almost four years ago, tuition has increased about 40 percent.
“For five years, we’ve watched it and been silent,” he said.
In a final push before the resolution went to vote, Smith and senior senator Hallie Roberts expressed concern for the students who can’t afford to attend the university.
“I am sad to see ACU going toward higher costs,” Roberts said.
“We have to speak out for every student who can’t come to ACU because they can’t afford it,” Smith said.
Some opponents said a resolution was less effective than the forums, but Smith argued the official statement was important for communication.
“I think it creates an officiality and a legitimacy that you’re not going to get from me hanging out in somebody’s office,” he said.
Supporters also hailed the bill for the unity they said it could create.
“If we don’t let the administration know where the students stand, than this body is going to impotent,” Rep. Casey Bingham said.
Smith called the Tuesday and Wednesday forums “convenient timing” for an official, unified response from SA.
Others disagreed.
“To me, this seems like this is a vote of no-confidence in the administration,” said chief financial officer Spencer Hemphill.
Rep. Tony Godfrey criticized the resolution, calling it unnecessary.
“Tuition doesn’t stagnate at ACU and it doesn’t stagnate at any other university,” he said.
Vice president Daniel Paul Watkins challenged the bill based on a concern that its strong wording could cause the administration to step back.
“Let’s bring the administration to the table, rather than pushing them away,” Watkins said.
Others agreed, saying that had already expressed their concerns in Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s forums, and treasurer Kevan Kirksey said the resolution arrived a week too late.
“We have formally expressed our concerns,” he said.
Congress also approved the resignation of Rep. Byron Martin and unanimously appointed Nick Graves, junior theatre major from Granbury to his position.
