The first slide of the PowerPoint presentation was prominently displayed on the screen; the cameras were on and ready to record; but the only people in the room were University Student Recreational Center officials pacing and waiting for students to show. Only two students, both of whom are Student Senate members, attended the UREC fee increase forum Tuesday night. UREC officials somewhat attributed the low turnout to the weather but felt apathy may have played a bigger part. Tricia Milford-Hoyt, UREC assistant director of marketing and membership, said she witnessed the lack of interest first-hand. “Based on the feedback I received in Free Speech Alley, none of the students I interacted with showed concern about the fee increase,” Milford-Hoyt said. “I would say, ‘We have these open forums about the fee increase,’ and they’d stick the flyer in their pocket and ask about GroupX programs.” Tamara Jarrett, UREC director, also stopped short of blaming the weather. “The weather isn’t much fun for anyone right now; however, I still see plenty of students here working out,” Jarrett said. Colorado Robertson, Student Government Senate Speaker, had a different opinion about why students did not show. “I definitely think that students care about fee increases,” Robertson said. “But have it on a rainy night, and ask them to sit through a 30-minute presentation, and it’s a different story.” Robertson also said he thinks the circumstances discouraged students. “This fee has already passed [the Student Required Fees Committee], so who wants to hear about something they already have to pay?” Robertson said. Jarrett said she would have liked to see students who have expressed concern about the fee increase attend the forum. “It’s great to have an opinion, and hopefully you have an opinion because you want to see positive results,” Jarrett said. “But it’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it and where you say it, and the place to say it where it would make a difference was here tonight.” Jarrett said the lack of students was discouraging but thinks it may have an upside. “Any opportunity missed to hear what students have to say is disappointing,” Jarrett said. “But maybe if students aren’t here, then maybe that means they’re happy.” Milford-Hoyt said she wants students to make an effort to attend one of the three remaining forums. “We’re interested in the feedback generated from these forums,” Milford-Hoyt said. “This is an important opportunity to collect feedback on what we’re doing.” Another forum is scheduled for today at 3:30 p.m. in the Huey P. Long Fieldhouse in room 108. Two more are scheduled for Thursday; the first will be in the Student Union International Room at noon followed by the other in the West Campus Apartments Activity Center at 4:30 p.m.
—-Contact Katie Kennedy at [email protected]