In an effort to cut down on printing costs and become more eco-friendly, the Student Assembly (SA) on its last meeting of the year on Friday debated Resolution 70 Supporting a Digital Transition, which called for the purchase of 34 iPads for exclusive use by members of the SA and the Appropriations Committee.
Citing printing costs of $7,000 per year and the SA’s role in advocating for sustainable practices across campus, the resolution’s sponsor Vice President of Finance Matthew Stefanko ’16 called for spending $17,120.98 on the iPads. According to the resolution, the iPads would be replaced every four years.
The vote failed 1-16-0. Only Executive Vice President Juliana Batista ’16, the SA’s president-elect, voted affirmative. Stefanko was not present at the meeting to advocate for his legislation.
During the debate, most SA members argued that because nearly all students have laptops and/or tablets there is no need to purchase additional ones to exclusively loan out to SA members. It was observed that almost all SA members at Friday’s meeting had laptops in front of them, some viewing digital copies of the resolutions being debated and others browsing the Internet. Additionally, SA members and committee members can opt out of receiving paper copies of resolution texts if they so choose, one member pointed out.
Notably, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Shivang Tayal ’16 railed against the resolution for its “elitism,” while Vice President for Internal Operations Matthew Henderson ’16 and Arts and Sciences Representative David Vakili ’16 spoke of the “bad optics” passing this resolution would give the SA. Others worried about possible student protests against the SA.
A quick calculation reveals $17,120.98 could pay for 48 students’ healthcare fees.
A government NOT voting themselves a PERC?! Send them all to Washington immediately!