The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Association endorsed the School of Architecture and Urban Planning’s request for differential tuition at its Nov. 6 meeting.

The differential tuition, if passed, would replace the current fee-based program. School of Architecture and Urban Planning (SARUP) students currently pay a $525 fee per year for laptop computers. The new differential tuition would phase out the laptop program in favor of 434 desktop computers in the studios in the SARUP building.

The new tuition is expected to save students money, improve computer equipment and retain more freshmen architecture students.

With differential tuition, students in 200 level or above architecture classes would pay $41 per credit with studio fees included. Freshmen courses would be $11 per credit. According to the Department of Architecture, upper-level students would spend around $365 a semester.

The laptop computers the school requires students to pay for now are not as powerful as the proposed desktop computers students would be required to use.

SA approved its endorsement of the plan. Improved technology, potential money saved and the feelings of SARUP students were factors leading to the decision.

Sen. Andrea Duncan said she personally hated the idea of differential tuition, but as a non-SARUP student, “can’t tell architecture students ‘no’ (if) this is what they want.”

A survey of random SARUP students in February revealed overwhelming support for aspects of the differential tuition plan.

Sen. Zachary Brewster, the only student senator representing SARUP, “strongly” supports differential tuition, he said. Brewster said the laptop fee was no different than tuition and that the new tuition should be permanent.

Governmental Affairs Analyst Neal Michals added, “Students want their education to matter.”

SA President Russ Rueden has until Nov. 13 to decide whether or not to pass the differential tuition plan. After that it will go to the UW Board of Regents. If it passes there, differential tuition for the Department of Architecture will go into effect for the 2006-’07 school year.

In other action, the senate approved the nomination of Amy Turrim for the vacant seat on the University Student Court. Turrim, a senior who has served on the Mock Trial team at UWM, was widely considered to be qualified for the position. The nomination process itself was called into question by Sen. Ben Goodhue.

Goodhue asked Rueden why the prestigious and well-paid job wasn’t advertised around campus and made known to more students. Flyers for applications were found only on the third floor of the Union.

Rueden said this was to make sure the applicants for the job were familiar with other student organizations. When Goodhue persisted with his questions on the nomination process, a visibly upset Rueden asked Goodhue if he was questioning the nomination or trying to start an argument.

The next SA meeting is 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, in the Union, Room W191. Meetings are open to the public.

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