By Rebecca O’Halloran

The issue of club funding dominated the University’s town meeting yesterday.

The meeting, held in the Student Center Theater during common hour, featured nine panelists, including President Stuart Rabinowitz. Vice-presidents from every department were also present

“The purpose of this is to listen to [students] and answer student questions,” President Rabinowitz said. “I actually wish there were more students here.”

The audience, which was comprised of both students and faculty, had the opportunity to ask the panelists anything regarding the University.

The first question, from Bradley Smallberg, addressed Student Government Association’s (SGA) need for more money, so the Appropriations Committee can fund various University clubs. Smallberg’s question opened the door for several other audience members to reinforce their desire for more club money.

“Every year we get $600,000 to distribute to all the clubs; that number hasn’t changed since 1982,” Smallberg said. “Six hundred thousand dollars in 1982 is not $600,000 in 2004-we’ve run out of money to give to clubs.”

In response to the students who voiced concern regarding the same matter, the panelists emphasized the limited budget the University has to work with. The administrators said one option to accommodate the need for more club money would be to raise the student activity fee, which is currently $56 per student.

Kathleen Hunker, a member of SGA, encouraged the administrators to understand how critical it is for clubs to receive more money.

“We don’t live with the budget, but it’s clear you don’t live with the students,” Hunker said.

Another question regarding the allocation of University funds concerned the distribution of scholarship money.

One student said she noticed a lot of academically gifted students had to pay full tuition, whereas athletes attend the University for little or no tuition.

“We’re currently spending $38 million on overall scholarships,” Vice-President of Finance Catherine Hennessy said.

Hennessy said a majority of that money goes to academic scholarships, rather than athletic scholarships.

“There’s no doubt in my mind it’s not enough,” President Rabinowitz said. “Since I’ve been president, there’s been a significant increase [in aid].”

Rabinowitz, who became president three years ago, also has noticed an increase in the demand for housing, which has led to talks of a new dorm.

One audience member suggested renovating the current dorms and limiting the admission of new students instead of constructing another dorm

While Rabinowitz cited the fact that admissions has become more selective-the current freshman class’ SAT average is 64 points higher than that of the previous years-he also pointed out the fact that the University is attracting more out-of-state students, which make up approximately 43 percent of the University’s population.

Rabinowitz said it is necessary for the University to accept the number of students it does, because-unlike 200-year-old colleges that receive endowments-the University is primarily “tuition-driven.”

Residential students had questions regarding accommodations on the north side of campus.

Andrea Gaskin, a Netherlands North resident assistant, said she had to do rounds in an inch and a half of snow and when she stayed over intercession, no attempts were made to plow snow until move-in weekend.

“North campus is the priority,” Vice President for Campus Life Holly Seirup said.

She also said the effects of the weather on the north side of campus will be maintained more efficiently.

Glaskin, a Catholic student, also asked if the University would consider building an interfaith chapel, in order to house the four religious organizations on campus.

Seirup said the idea has been discussed, but they are in need of a “large donor” in order to do so.

Commuter students were also represented at the meeting when one student if it was possible for the administration to provide a meal plan option more affordable for students who spend limited time on campus.

The Office of the Dean of Students set up a “commuter task force” and is looking into the issue. Currently, the lowest meal plan is $495.

Director of Lackman Joe Rudolph was also on the panel and vowed to enforce the new policy of handing out meals on chinaware, unless a student requests a take out container.

“You have my commitment on [giving China first],” Rudolph said.

Another aspect of dining services discussed discussed by President Rabinowitz was the University’s exclusive contract with Coca-Cola. The contract, which pre-dated President Rabinowitz and will not expire until the summer of 2005, has been opposed by students who desire alternative beverages on campus.

“If you have more than one beverage provider, there is a significant amount of revenue that would disappear,” President Rabinowitz said. President Rabinowitz said having more than one beverage provider on campus could cost the University “millions” of dollars, but the option is negotiable.

“[Don’t] discount the value of student nudging,” Rabinowitz said.

Students asked administrators University-related questions during common hour.