The EMU Board heard arguments Wednesday night about how limited space in the EMU should be allocated to groups vying for prized spots.
In a cooperative effort, the Nontraditional Student Union and the College Democrats attempted to compromise on new recommendations for awarding space in Suite 2, the area currently occupied by the Cultural Forum, by offering to give up 25 percent of each of their allocations to accommodate the newly recognized student group Veterans and Family Student Association.
After hearing pleas from the veterans’ group and offers from the NSU and College Democrats, the EMU Board voted to send the recommendation back to the board’s House Committee for further review.
The committee originally suggested that new spaces be allocated for four student groups: The College Democrats, the Designated Driver Shuttle, the Child Care Subsidy program and the Asklepiads Pre-Health Society.
Head of the NSU, Richard Pryor, said he would prefer to share the designated office space with groups with similar interests. The University of Oregon Men’s Center is already slated to share the office, and Pryor argued that the veterans’ organization would share the same demographic.
Kane Kim, a representative of the VFSA, said veterans have largely been ignored on the University campus and that it is a difficult transition for those who have served in the military. The group was recently recognized by the ASUO Recognition Review Committee and is waiting for final approval by a University representative to gain official recognized status.
“We cannot hold space because we think a group wants it,” said House Committee Chairman David Goward.
EMU Board Chairwoman Chess Patricolo said last year’s House Committee’s intention was to give space to veterans in the NSU space.
Goward said the board needed to consider whether a decision to carve the available space into another piece would serve student groups.
“We’re trying to stuff as many college students in a Volkswagen Bug as possible-pretty soon the top is going to pop off,” he said.
EMU Director Dusty Miller said the board should consider whether it means to carry on with last year’s mission to create synergy among groups by allocating space to those that serve similar purposes.
The shuttle has occupied a temporary cubicle in the hallway for more than five years, Goward said. The plan was to have DDS and the Child Care Subsidy occupy the same space because the groups keep different hours. Miller suggested that the cubicle DDS will be vacating could be used for another group.
“I don’t know if you can afford not to use the space you have,” he said.
The House Committee will need to consider the options available in an already tightly cramped building and return to the full board with additional recommendations.
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