The Government of the Student Body will debate the circulating faculty petition that criticizes ISU President Martin Jischke’s performance as university president at tonight’s meeting, as well as a bill that would change how GSB allocates money to itself.

The financing bill would change the bylaws to make it more difficult for GSB to allocate money from the Senate Discretionary Account for its own purposes.

Currently, GSB must go through the same process to receive money as any other GSB-funded organization. All allocations from the Discretionary Account need a simple majority of senate approval, but this bill would change the bylaws to require a two-thirds majority.

“GSB feels that funding other student organizations should take priority over spending money on itself,” states the bill.

According to the bill, GSB spent $18,500 in supplemental funds in addition to its annual financing during the 1998-1999 fiscal year. So far, supplemental funds for 1999-2000 have reached $11,500.

“We get into the habit of giving ourselves more money without thinking about it,” said Jonathon Weaver, TRA, co-author of the bill. “I think this will make people think more about it.”

GSB President Matt Craft, however, said this change could actually hinder the money that other student groups would receive from GSB.

“Right now, we request less money from the Finance Committee because that money is a lot tighter,” he said. “The Discretionary Account has not been exhausted in three years. We have never had to cut student funding from the Discretionary Account because of financial limitations.”

Craft added that if this bill is passed, GSB may request more money through the Finance Committee allocation process, which would have a much greater effect on other organizations.

“It has potential to be a problem with other groups’ budgets,” he said.

Since the bill would change the bylaws, a two-thirds vote of senate approval is necessary for the bill to pass.

The resolution to support the faculty petition on the ISU administration also will be introduced tonight. It addresses the importance of research vs. education at Iowa State.

“The Government of the Student Body, voicing the opinion of ISU students, believes that Martin C. Jischke’s current tenure policy rewards research at the expense of undergraduate education,” the resolution states.

Luke DeKoster, author of the bill, said the focus of the resolution is the problem with the tenure system.

“The main idea of this resolution is that this is a problem, and how can we fix it,” said DeKoster, RCA. “I question what the goal is of a tenure system that rewards professors who don’t reward students.”

According to the resolution, a review of Jischke’s performance and the administration’s tenure policy would help Iowa State continue to improve.

“The process of review should not be a divisive action but rather an integral part of improving a university that hopes to become the ‘Best Land-Grant University’ in the country,” the resolution states.

The resolution, however, is not a personal attack against Jischke, Craft said.

“It’s an important distinction that this is not calling for Dr. Jischke to resign or anything,” he said. “It’s saying there is a problem with a policy, not Dr. Jischke personally.”

DeKoster said the intent of the resolution is to open discussion about the faculty petition among senators.

“It definitely is not a final draft,” he said. “I am open to any suggestions. GSB needs to voice an opinion about this.”

GSB will meet tonight at 7 in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union.