SG Aims to Save UF’s Diversity, Volunteerism
I don’t normally get to do this, but I will be praising something SG did today.
Sen. Naadira Renfroe, a Gator/Unite party senator, is spearheading an effort to use A&S fees (either reserves or an increase) to help salvage Student Affairs programs aimed at diversity/multicultural awareness and volunteerism.
The programs in question are the Multicultural and Diversity Affairs program, which includes the Institute of Black Culture and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Affairs, and the Center for Leadership and Service, which organizes volunteering and leadership events.
They are on the chopping block due to mandated budget cuts, and they represent the remaining programs run by the Dean of Students that are not statutorily required.
These are very worthwhile programs and their loss would send a terrible message about the priorities of the UF Board of Trustees and the state legislature. There are enough alarming budget cuts being made; we really can’t afford any more.
These programs aren’t getting cut, and they aren’t going to paid for from A&S fees either. The VPSA’s office is going to move other stuff around to keep them.
That said, using A&S fees to fund these is of questionable wisdom IMO.
I’d rather see A&S fees pay for them than to see them lost. But it is good to hear that this won’t be a problem either way. That’s at least some good news on the budget cut front.