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'mperfect formula
heats status, quo
Vednssdsy President Vsrnrr trird to cclm whet
hs termed a $ds cf bitterness ei the university
community toward the decision to ssk the Lcsfs
bture for parity money for the Univsrfcty of Keb
rra st Oinsha (UNO).
The sxinud budget which the regents sent to
the governor test week had $500,009 eannaried
to help finance UNO's academic prccrsms at a -level
equal with comparable academic programs
atUNL,
Two cornmittses appointed by Vamer and an
independent consultant worked fcr over 18
months to determine imbalances in funding levels
at UNO and UNL.
After studying several other college plans
coping with the problem of equitably financing
more than one campus, the committee adopted a
formula by which ccr,t per credit hour at UNL
and UNO could be compared. -
According to the formula (which, trust us,
you don't want to have explained) UNO needs
slightly more than $1 million to fund its academic
programs on the sajne level as comparable pro
grams at UNL.
The regents plan to ask for the parity money
in two increments, believing $500,000 is all UNO
could effectively put to use in one year.
There are those who feel UNO is infringing on
money which belongs to UNL. Others think UNO
is getting just a fraction of what it needs. The rest
wonder what this thing is called parity.
Of course mere is nothing magic about the $ 1
million figure.
A group of leading faculty members and ad
ministrators from both campuses agreed on the
funding plan. It may not be perfect but it is
better man the haphazard 50-25-25 formula used
for years to divide academic improvement funds
among the campuses. At least now we have an
educated guess as to the relative funding needs of
the campuses. With time and practical applica
tion, the formula can be improved.
As Varner said Wednesday, both campuses
could effectively use. twice as much money as
each is getting. Since neither campus is likely
to get aQ it needs both should share equally m
the shortage.
Absolute equality cannot be determined but
the committee has decided this is a proposal
the university can support in the Legislature and
to the citizens of the state. :
The last thing we need is to give either group
the appearance that we cannot settle our differ
ences on the issue.
The Daily Nebraskan welcomes letters to the editor
and guest opinions. Choices of material published will
be based on timeliness and originality. Letters must be
accompanied by the writer's name, but may be
p&tlidisd under a pen name if requested.
Guest opinions should be typed, triple-spsced, on
nonerasable paper. They should be accompanied by the
anther's name, class standing and major, or occupation.
AH material submitted to these pages is subject to edlt
irg and condensation, and cannot be returned to the
writer. -
onon.
VP OCTM-
resells
one yjtmj
py Des Lesley
Now was as good 9 tune as any to begin looking for
ward to the next session of the State Legislature. Senators
are thinking about what bills they wi3 introduce in the
upcoming session. Lobbying groups are beginning to
develop legislation which they want introduced in the
Legislature. The stage is being readied for the "best show
in town".
To find out what is happening in the State Legislature
you could begin by contacting the office of the Gerk of
the Legislature. The clerk has copies of the rules of the
Unicameral public hearing testimony, committee and
floor debate minutes, legislative bills and more. Although
the clerk's office is most helpful when the Legislature is
in session, the staff can answer or properly refer your
questions about the Legislature. The telephone number of
the clerk's office is 471-2271 .
It is a good idea to get to know your state senator.
Senators should be, and usually are, accessible to their
constituents. They have busy schedules but I have always
found them to be willing to talk, if a meeting could be
arranged. It is best to have some topics and questions in
mind before you meet with a senator so that you can
make the most of your time together. Call the clerk's
office if you are unsure of how to contact a state senator. ;
If you are interested in the Legislature, I suggest you
work through one (or more) of the many citizen organiza
tions which lobby in the Legislature. Working through a
citizen organization is important. Someone may have an
excellent idea for a legislative bill, but senators consider
how much support there is for a bill. If an organization
supports a bill by doing research, lining up witnesses, and
gathering support for the bill from other organizations
and individuals, a senator is much more likely to
introduce the bill, according to Lincoln state Senator
Steve Fowler. The following are citizen organizations
open to students which lobby in the Legislature.
l'r ' ' Nonpartisan iruzatioa 't -
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan citizen
organization. The league believes that citizens should be
informed about issues and should be active in their
government. Marge Young, league member, said. the
group's main goal was to promote support for and involve
ment in good government by carefully examining both
sides of issues and then taking an informed, thoughtful
position on those issues. The League is open to both men
and women. Students are welcome.
The League of Women Voters is a respected organiza
tion. The league moves slowly and carefully on issues.
They take the time to thoroughly study and deliberate
issues.
If you are interested in joining the League you can
contact their office by telephoning 475-I41 1.
common Cause is a harf-hittins. relentless and
SSP53) cskwS tes32J
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to lobby gw
lively
successful national citizens' lobby, born of the dire need
to return to all citizens their constitutionally guaranteed
right to have their voices heard in their own government."
That is how the group decides itself. What more can I say?
la nebraska, Common Cause is probably best known
for its successful lobbying efforts for the Open Meeting
Law and the Sunshine Act, both of which wET and have
done much to open the decision-making processes in Ne
braska. Sunset Lcfiisfen
It is likely that Common Cause will lobby ior Sunset
Legislation during this next legislative session. Essentially,
watch u mean
Sunset Legislation forces state agencies to periodically
justify their existence to the satisfaction of the Legisla
ture. There are not many students now working for
Common Cause, but they are welcome.. ; . p ;?
A couple of distinctions between the League of Women
Voters and Common Cause need to be pointed out. The
League is not only active nationally and with the State
Legislature, but works locally in city and county govern
ment. Common Cause, in Nebraska, works only on the
state and national levels. Common Cause also focuses on
just a few issues in the Legislature whie the League is
concerned with a broad range of issues. If you are inter
ested in joining Common Cause you can call Marge Schlitt
at 477-2529.
The Sierra Club is another well-known organization in
Nebraska. The Sierra Club was formed in 1892 to help
people explore, enjoy and protect wSdlands and wild
life and to preserve and restore the quality of man's
environment and the integrity of the earth's ecosystems.
Unfortunately the Sierra Qub has been branded as a
group of obstinate environmentalists. Its unrelenting
opposition to the Mid-State and O'Neill Reclamation Pro
jects, and its insistence on the instalation of extensive
pollution control equipment at the Sutherland Power
Hint has taken a great deal of courage and sacrifice. These
stands have caused some to view the Sierra Qub suspici
ously 2nd , on occasion, with disdaiu.
The Sierra Qub is one of a number of environmental
groups, which lobby for important environmental legisla
tion. The bottle bO, the Endangered Specks Act and
land-use planning are some of the Sierra Club's concerns.
If you are interested in joining the Sierra Qub call Marge
Schlitt at 477-2529.
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