For hours, UA debates buying copier

Have you ever discussed buying a photocopier for two hours straight? That is exactly what the Undergraduate Assembly did Sunday night at their annual budget meeting. While the debate was interspersed with talk about voting booths and where to hold Student Committee on Undergraduate Education meetings for the next year, the main focus of the first four hours of the budget meeting was the price tag of this rather ordinary office supply. In the end, the UA passed a proposal allocating $15,000 in escrow for the lease or purchase of a photocopier. However, if any of the seven representatives from the major committees turns the proposal down, it must go back to the UA. "Basically, this will save costs in the long run," UA chairperson and Wharton junior Dan Debicella said. "The student government spends $10,000 a year for copying expenses. If the copier can last for five years, it will save a lot of money." Debicella added that if the representatives cannot come to a decision on the copier by September 1, the money in escrow will go back to the Student Activities Council. At first, the copier was intended to be for SCUE's use. However, after further consideration UA members decided to make the copier available to all branches of student government. UA representative Eric Tienou, a College junior, said the presentation of the funding request was put together "very hastily." "There was no basis for the figures since they took the numbers from SCUE's request," he said. "The decision shouldn't have been made last night. The decision should have been made by next year's UA." Also in a controversial vote, the UA passed a line-item addition to the Social Planning and Events Committee that allocates $10,080 to fund a "Bring Your Own Beer" party at a fraternity every week during the fall 1995 semester. In addition, the UA voted down a proposal to have voting booths for future elections. Also, the UA allocated $250 for a fax-modem.