Alden to decide fee's fate

Hearnes Center Committee's recommendation sent to Mike Alden.

By Jewels Phraner

Published May 4, 2007

Jewels Phraner

Associate Editor

On the Hearnes Center Committee's recommendation, $750,000 might be moved from the Hearnes Center Student Fee fund to the Student Fee Capital Improvement Committee, pending Athletic Director Mike Alden's approval.

The Hearnes Center Committee passed two motions on Monday that directly affect Hearnes Center funds. First, the committee voted eight-to-five to pass the "alternative motion" proposed by HCC Graduate Professional Council member Alex Moore. This proposal recommends the reallocation of 75 percent of the funds of the Hearnes Center Student Fee fund to the SFCIC.

The original motion suggested all of the funds, totaling approximately $1 million, be moved to SFCIC.

"I've talked with the (Missouri Students Association), and they are willing to support this compromise," Moore stated in his e-mailed alternative proposal. "Others might find this more palatable and worth serious consideration."

The SFCIC advises the vice chancellor for student affairs on the allocation of funds to student organizations, faculty and students.

Although some HCC members might have found this proposal more palatable, Moore said the committee was still split.

"But the motion, which passed by an eight-to-five margin, represents our best effort at reaching a group consensus," he stated in an e-mail to Alden.

Moore said it came down to the question of whether the money would do more if it went to the SFCIC or toward making improvements for the Hearnes Center.

"There were strong and valid arguments on both sides," he said. "Each person had to choose where they thought the funds would most benefit students."

Now that the motion has been passed, HCC Chairman Kevin Moore said the matter is out of HCC's hands.

"We don't have the power to cause any change, all we can do is make recommendations," Moore said.

Missouri Students Association Vice President Andrew Cafourek said he hopes Alden takes the suggestion. If the HCC was deemed important enough to create then it should be treated as an "equal mandate" now, he said.

As soon as the motion passed, he sent an e-mail that stated the committee's recommendation to Alden, citing some of the issues in which the committee struggled.

"There was a lack of documentation on the intent of the fund, once the Hearnes Center debt was retired, even though it was still collecting money," Moore said.

HCC faculty member Kerry McDonald voted against the motion. He said his primary concern was that he couldn't determine the intent of the fee from a legal aspect.

The Hearnes Center fee was originally a student fee intended to retire the debt incurred after the construction of the facility. After the debt was retired, the fee continued to be collected, with no documented intent.

Others said reservations to the approval could have been the sentiments that the HCC was being penalized when it wasn't deserved.

"Moving this money away from the Hearnes Center almost penalizes the Hearnes Center and Committee for being fiscally conservative," Moore said.

In an e-mail to Moore, Alden stated his appreciation for the committee and their recommendation. Moore also expressed his concern about the age of the 35-year-old Hearnes Center, as well as the costs of the upkeep and maintenance of the building.

The committee also unanimously passed second motion, which approved a request made by Hearnes Center General Manager Roger Crumpton for $17,655 for expenses and repairs for the Hearnes Center, like roof flashing and water softener.