A-OK for NUTV

By Emma Stokes

The first of 10 possible referendum questions was recently given the thumbs up for student voting in the upcoming 2002 Students’ Union general election.

At the Jan. 15 meeting of the Students’ Legislative Council, the student-operated campus television station NUTV got the go-ahead to have students vote on a $0.50 per semester increase to their levy.

"This is the first time since 1990 that NUTV has asked for a levy increase, even though our budget has gone up 40 per cent since then," said NUTV Executive Director Kevin Allen, who expressed satisfaction that the question was approved.

The last increase was also for $0.50 which brought the levy to its current amount of $3.00 per student per semester.

Discussion on the question was minimal at the SLC meeting and focused mainly on the uses of the extra money. Allen explained that NUTV is currently facing a financial crunch due to construction costs and the addition of a new staff position.

"The implementation of NUTV’s closed circuit system, which is scheduled to begin running in spring of 2002, needs a coordinator," he said.

Although NUTV requests only $0.50 more from each student, Allen expressed concern that students might vote no if faced with nine other demands for fee increases, some of which may not be as modest.

"With so many levy questions being proposed, there could be a backlash against all the levy questions," he said.

Allen urged potential voters to consider some of the future benefits for all students that the levy increase would support.

"NUTV provides practical experience for students," he said. "It is a service provided for everyone on campus, and acts as a voice for students."

Allen further noted that all of the media services on campus are strong compared to other universities in Canada and additional funding helps these services build on their strengths in the future.

"NUTV intends on expanding more in the future," he said.

Other potential referendum questions will be discussed at future SLC meetings, held every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of MacEwan Student Centre.