'Green initiative' referendum put to students
Online voting begins Thursday, will decide fate of fund account
McLean Bennett
Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: News
"Right now we don't know where the money's going to go," he said, adding that the account is too open-ended and doesn't have a definite target.
Kampen also said he doubts the account's oversight, saying he believes the committee could be run by the same people who are seeking to spend the money.
Umhoefer said Senate will have ultimate control over the account and will have the power to veto or alter the committee's funding recommendations. An administrative department will have authority to write the check to whomever the committee and Senate agree to fund, but that department will not have veto power and won't have any control over the committee's decision, Umhoefer said.
"There's going to be accountability all the way through with students in control," Umhoefer said, adding Senate has successfully used a similar accounting model for years.
He added that if the referendum passes this week, the issue could go before the Board of Regents as early as the first week of December. If it passes there, he said Senate could begin setting up the committee as early as the spring 2009 semester and accruing money next year. If that's the case, Umhoefer said the account could begin funding projects by fall 2010.
Kampen also said he doubts the account's oversight, saying he believes the committee could be run by the same people who are seeking to spend the money.
Umhoefer said Senate will have ultimate control over the account and will have the power to veto or alter the committee's funding recommendations. An administrative department will have authority to write the check to whomever the committee and Senate agree to fund, but that department will not have veto power and won't have any control over the committee's decision, Umhoefer said.
"There's going to be accountability all the way through with students in control," Umhoefer said, adding Senate has successfully used a similar accounting model for years.
He added that if the referendum passes this week, the issue could go before the Board of Regents as early as the first week of December. If it passes there, he said Senate could begin setting up the committee as early as the spring 2009 semester and accruing money next year. If that's the case, Umhoefer said the account could begin funding projects by fall 2010.
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