Associated Students of the University of Washington
Student Senate
Session 16
 

A Resolution Seeking to Maintain the Quality of Classroom Experience

WHEREAS for the first time in the University of Washington’s history, the university’s revenue source from tuition and fees surpasses the state funding [1]; and

WHEREAS as tuition and fees are now the dominant source of revenue, the administration is more accountable to students than ever before; and

WHEREAS tuition and fees are paid by students, increases in these factors due to the budget cuts have greatly impacted classroom experience and the quality of education; and

WHEREAS the Legislative Agenda for the 2009-2010 school year states that the ASUW supports "increasing resources that expand technology and academic programs and services" [2]; and

WHEREAS according to a recent survey, “Quality of education ranks as the most important consideration for UW students” [3]; and

WHEREAS the “excellence of faculty is the most important factor to students; followed closely by course availability” [3]; and

WHEREAS 89.19% of the 4921 students surveyed are concerned with the UW's quality of education, of which 60% is very concerned while 28.29% somewhat concerned [3]; and

WHEREAS 60.99% of the 4920 students surveyed are at least somewhat concerned with the amount of academic support services offered [3]; and

WHEREAS when asked if tuition/fees increase by a substantial amount, 17.09% of the 4863 students surveyed said they would drop out of school [3]; and

WHEREAS the teaching staff and upper administration expressed concerns for loss of classroom support staff and supplies such as technical personnel and equipment; and

WHEREAS the top two priorities of the students pulled for the University of Washington are academic quality and faculty excellence, both being over 90% exceptionally or very important [3]; and

WHEREAS 90.98% of the 4894 students polled believe that with the current state budget situation, the state should make higher education a high priority [3]; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON:

THAT the ASUW upholds the high quality classroom related services, equipment, and personnel that the University of Washington provides its students with;

THAT the ASUW supports the allocation of necessary budget cuts in a fair manner wherein the weight of those cuts are equally shared among all departments;

THAT the concerns for budget cuts to classroom related services, equipment, and personnel remain a top priority for next years ASUW and RHSA leadership.

THAT the Legislative Agenda for the 2010-2011 school year will continue to advocate for increasing resources for academic programs and services;

THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to next year's ASUW elect Board of Directors, Student Senate, and RHSA for the 2010-2011 school year, the University of Washington Board of Regents, the Legislative Steering Committee for the 2010-2011 school year, and the Director and Assistant Director of the Office of Government Relations for the 2010-2011 school year.

History of Legislation

05/10/2010: Submitted for consideration
05/18/2010: Referred to the Academic Affairs Committee

Legislation ID:
R-16-34

Date Submitted:
05/10/2010

Sponsor:
Skyler Peterson

Cosponsor(s):
Miklos Csibrany (Mercer Hall Liason)
Evan Smith (Chair of AAA committee)
Gursharn Bagri (Steven's Court Liason)