Starting in early 1994, I worked for my first-ever newspaper, The Northern Student, the student newspaper at Bemidji State University, where I attended and received my bachelor's degree in mass communication. Over three years, I would be a staff writer, news editor, managing editor and editor. I wrote everything from news stories to feature stories to sports stories to opinion pieces. It was the greatest training ground a journalist could ever have, and I am grateful to the many talented people I worked alongside in my years at The NS.
May 3, 1995
By Devlyn Brooks
News Editor
Emotions were strong and varied Tuesday among staff, faculty, administration and students who attended the 1995-97 budget plan meeting. Because the meeting ran longer than an hour, many people had to vacate Hagg-Sauer 100 quickly to catch their 4 p.m. classes, and others stayed to talk amongst themselves about the surprising news President James Bensen revealed about the fiscal future of BSU.
Some of the students' concerns were focused on the cuts that would affect student affairs.
"I was concerned because I work in the student affairs office, and they cut the assistant vice president for student affairs," said Scott Albiston, a senior in political science. "(The vice president) is the leading conduct officer, and I am worried how they are going to provide that service."
Student Senate President Paul Hetland agreed with Albiston. "The greatest loss is the cut of the vice president for student affairs." Hetland said that at the state level, the Minnesota State University Student Association has been lobbying for a vice chancellor for student affairs for the university system, and this will set MSUSA back.
"The cut might lead to less services for students which will lead to less student retention, and ultimately less quality," Hetland said. "I hope the self-sacrificing attitude that as in (HS 100) will sink in to the rest of the university."
Another student in attendance was more optimistic. "Eliminating or holding 37 positions will have a big impact on our small campus," said senior political science major Ryan Brovold. "I don't think it is necessarily a negative thing."
We Halverson, general maintenance work, told Hetland that with the loss of GMWs to vacant positions and layoffs, students will have to help the university out by cleaning up after themselves in classrooms, bathrooms and hallways.
Each GMW is currently responsible for 25,000 square feet of building space. Projected figures by administration show after layoffs, each GMW will be responsible for 47,000 square feet.
"Its going to mean we're going to have to work a little harder and do a better job because there is more to do," Halverson said. "We've lost some pretty good people who have done good jobs. I think Mr. Faecke and the rest of administration should be thanked, though. The cuts are going to hurt in the short run, but in the long run fewer families are going to be hurt."
A common theme among administration, faculty and students was to feel angry with politicians in St. Paul.
"The biggest problem is in St. Paul," said John Annexstad, professor of geology and space studies. "The governor is more concerned with the bottom line, and the legislators are more concerned with saving their own necks. There is a problem with short-sighted politicians." Annexstad said there was also a problem with voters who are unaware of what the politicians are doing in Legislature.
He added that politicians do not understand that they are literally killing their futures by creating a disadvantaged group of young people. Without a quality education, young people aren't prepared for today's society, he said. "BSU students don't deserve less than a quality education."
Hetland and Dave Tiffany, vice president for university advancement, both expressed similar sentiments about the problem arising from short-sighted politicians.
"I think a lot of people in that room had a wake-up call to the problems with higher education in this country," Hetland said.
Annexstad said he wonders why it is that money has continually decreased for students and continually increased for prisoners nationwide. He said that he was sick and disappointed with the state of Minnesota and the country.
Many people said that no one at BSU is to blame for the cuts and layoffs. Hetland said if it wasn't for the foresightedness of Tom Faecke, vice president for administrative affairs, Tiffany and others, the cuts could have been more drastic. He said he would have hated to see happen at BSU what happened at Moorhead State University. MSU had to layoff 74 people for next year.
Tough decisions were made, Annexstad said, but he blames Gov. Arne Carlson for BSU's budget cuts.
Tiffany said, even though there were layoffs, students shouldn't worry. The schedule is going to stay full, and no classes will be cut. He said students were prioritized throughout the budget process.
"We are such a small university. We know all these people," Tiffany said. "I know every one of those people who were laid off. They are good people, but we have an obligation to manage the university in the black."
With contributions from Jennifer Nygard, copy editor, and Nate Dybvig, staff writer.
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