Volume 93
the Prairie
Issue XX
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Student Senate opposes America walks fine line with Middle East proposed athletic fee
United Nations supports actions against Libya
KRYSTINA MARTINEZ Staff Writer
T
he March 7 session of the WTAMU Student Senate came away with the passing of SR 21011 in response to the proposed raise of the student athletic fee. The senators chose not to support the proposed fee increase. Currently, WT students are charged a $240 athletic fee. The student body voted in 2008 to double the fee to support the Buffalo Sports Complex and additions to the Virgil Henson Activities Center. The new fee would add an additional $24 per semester, bringing the athletic fee to $264. SR 21011 will voice opposition on behalf of the student body to the Board of Regents against raising the fee. A letter will be sent out to members of the Board of Regents and Dr. Patrick O’Brien, the president of WT. “It would not be as shocking if we hadn’t raised the fee by $120 two years ago,” Casey Hayes, a senior senator and author of SR 21011, said. Schools similar in size to WT, such as Sam Houston State University and Tarleton University, have an average athletic fee of $160. The Student Government is pushing for greater transparency when it comes to what designated tuition will pay for. “I was at the debates in which we originally discussed the proposal for the athletic increase,” Kyle Haugh, student body vice president, said. “I do believe there was a lack of budgeting and I don’t believe that designated tuition should go for this at all. I feel that’s a little shady. We were under the impression that this would be fully paid for by the doubling of the athletic fee and that’s not what happened.” Some feel that SR 21011 is an overreaction to the proposed fee increase.
Student Senate continued on p. 3
LISA HELLIERandKATELYN GARRITY Staff Writer
E
gyptian protestors’ success in removing President Mubarak from power has spiked political unrest in other areas of the Middle East. The country of Libya has descended into violent commotion as Gadda�i �ights back against protestors. The king of Bahrain is facing opposition and has sent in Saudi forces to take control of the protestors using threats and violence. Each country has a similar story with powerful consequences. The political, social and economic turmoil of the Middle East has quickly become an issue the rest of world must face because it no longer impacts that region alone. In reaction to this tumult, everyday citizens watch the rise in product prices. Gas price increases are one of the biggest issues that make American citizens look around and ask, “what is going on?” Some are oblivious to what happens in the world around them while others are in outrage as they �inally see how differently these countries function. “Probably the best thing Americans could do is work harder at learning as much as possible about Middle Eastern countries and governments,” Dr. Dave Rausch, WT Political Science professor, said. In dealing with the Middle East, America plays a careful role by not making outright demands or declaring strong political decisions that largely impact society and the economy. The decision to interfere is a slow process.
Courtesy of wildfireplatform.com Libya, in green, is located in northern Africa.
“The problem is that we have supported those leaders either because their countries have natural resources we need or because they were a buffer against the Soviet Union in the past and fundamentalist Islam today,” Rausch said. Obama is working to preserve what relationships he can, whether it is to sustain social responsibility, avoid more economic crisis or evade dangerous political problems. “The Obama administration, like most Americans, does not know what to do,” Rausch said. “Everyone likes democracy, but sometimes elections in Middle Eastern countries go awry.”
Middle East continued on p. 2
Counting down to finals 3 days until...
6 days until...
9 days until...
45 days until...
48 days until...
The Amarillo Museum of Art opens their art show featuring WT and AC students’ and professors’ artwork.
The 2D/3D art show begins in Mary Moody at WT.
The last day to drop or withdraw from the University.
Dead day.
The beginning of finals.