UA reps fear U. Life changes

Members to protest University Council meeting Wednesday Undergraduate Assembly members expressed concern Sunday night that major changes in the Vice Provost for University Life's office might be in the works following VPUL Kim Morrisson's transfer to the provost's office. UA Chairperson Seth Hamalian said the move had "deeper undertones" that foreshadowed future cuts in student services. He added that the UA will join other student groups for a rally at Wednesday's University Council meeting in McClelland Hall. "Since [they're dealing] with things close to students, we should be consulted every step of the way," he said. "Instead, they're doing this now when students have other things on their mind, which is consistent with administrative actions in the past. But enough is enough." The VPUL is responsible for Career Planning and Placement, Student Health and the Student Activities Council, among many other University services. UA representative Eric Leathers said he thinks the University Trustees are "pushing" these changes while Interim President Claire Fagin and Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson were at the helm so the administrators do not have to deal with the consequences of their decisions. "These interim leaders we have are expendable," he said. "They're just doing the Trustees' dirty work." UA member Kirsten Bartok said the VPUL's office is in jeopardy because it lacks the support of faculty members. "[Faculty members] are unhappy with [the VPUL] because they don't see it as being intellectual," she said. In other business, UA members said they are dissatisfied with administrators' actions with regard to diversifying Locust Walk. UA representative Ha Nguyen said Vice President of Facilities Management Art Gravina described himself as "a puppet in Provost Lazerson's hands." "He said, 'Whatever [Lazerson] wants, I want. Whatever he thinks, I think,'" Nguyen added. UA member Laura Amrofell criticized Interim VPUL Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum for not being familiar with issues of diversity on Locust Walk. "She didn't even know what properties were vacant," she said. The UA also voted to send a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Marvin Runyon to ask for his help in improving mail delivery to the University community. The letter was introduced by UA member Josh Gottheimer who said he was "confident" the matter would be taken care of. "I worked in D.C. last summer," he said. "Believe me, the postmaster general really cares about this kind of thing – it will be looked into." In other proceedings, College sophomore Lauren Lazare was sworn into the UA seat left vacated last week when Rashad Ibrahim announced his resignation from the body.

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