“Words are cheap, but money talks.”

This was the message during the Government of the Student Body’s Wednesday meeting.

A senate resolution was introduced, which, if passed at its meeting next week, would recommend the Student Fees Committee reduce the amount of student fees given to the ISU athletic department by an estimated $662,750.

The proposal would reduce the amount of fees students pay from $21 per student per semester to $10 per student per semester.

The resolution states GSB and student unhappiness with not being consulted in the decision made by the university as a whole this summer to move students away from cement lots next to Jack Trice Stadium as the reason for considering the cuts.

“We’ve been treated like second-class citizens first by the athletic department with them not consulting us in their decision, and second by the university administration when they say the lot has to be alcohol-free, take it or leave it,” said Speaker of the Senate Tony Luken.

“It’s like we get options, but we don’t have a say in what those options are. We’re not voting on this resolution, but we’re currently using it to get the message across to the university that we are in control of this money, and as a result we need to be consulted and we need to be better included in decisions.”

Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas Hill said he is confused as to the reason for the resolution’s creation, because GSB isn’t articulating the real issue.

Hill said the point has already been made that the university did not consult or include students in the decision to move them away from the stadium.

“Are we going to continue to hammer that point? I’ve said it already and I’ll say it again: It was a mistake not including and consulting students. It was an oversight,” he said.

“It’s one of these deals where no matter what we do, we can never get over the original mistake.”

Hill said the university has addressed the issue of not including students in decisions by creating two student seats on the National Cyclone Club Board and by supporting the creation of a student only, alcohol—free area in Lot S-4 next to the stadium.

“It’s apparent that if they’re going to pull money, what we’ve done to address the issue isn’t good enough, so now what we have to do is look at what students would like to see happen that will satisfy them,” he said.

Hill said he does not understand why the efforts by the university aren’t acceptable to students.

“Students have been offered a student only lot, which hasn’t been offered before. But, we said it has to be alcohol-free. Why is that not acceptable? What’s missing here?” he said. “I’m fine in having them say they don’t agree with not having alcohol present. What I’m not OK with is them saying we’re not including them.”

Hill said contrary to what the resolution states, the university isn’t using alcohol as a scapegoat, but GSB is. This is because the university is willing to give students everything back except the ability to consume alcohol, he said.

“Should we support dangerous drinking behavior? Because that’s what will happen if it’s anything like what has and is happening in general public parking lots now,” he said.

Luken said he disagrees with Hill. He said alcohol isn’t the issue; the university’s concessions to students not being sufficient is the issue.

“Is consulting having two students on the National Cyclone Club Board? We’ll see, but I and most senators feel it isn’t enough,” he said. “I want every member of the ISU administration here to answer questions and be accountable to students.”

Luken said the issue in reducing funds to the athletic department can be avoided. He said he will vote “yes” to the resolution at the next meeting if he believes the athletic department continues to mistreat students.

If passed, the resolution would only suggest the Student Fees Committee, which under Iowa Code has the authority to consider any proposed changes to student fees on campus, the fee change.

The committee would then make a recommendation to the university president. The president then makes a recommendation to the Iowa Board of Regents, which has the final say in adopting changes.

If the fees are changed, students may see elevated costs of discounted student tickets, because the costs of the tickets are based significantly off of fees collected from students by the athletic department, said Thomas Kroeschell, communications manager for the athletic department.

Laurie Gustafson, associate athletic director for business, said there will be a multitude of effects on students if money is pulled out of their budget. However, Gustafson said it’s too premature to tell what the consequences of reducing the money would be.

She said the department would have to look at its funding priorities and come up with a process. However, she said possible consequences would be getting rid of some Olympic sports and student seating in the lower part of Hilton Coliseum, because student fees pay for such and were increased to the current $21 under athletic department and GSB agreement.

GSB President Mike Banasiak urged the senate to exercise caution in the matter.

Banasiak said the senate should slow down, look at other options and think about the consequences of such a decision.

He said GSB needs to first talk with university officials about what went wrong in the decision-making process.