Undeterred by a low turnout, the Student Senate sought students’ opinions at an emergency meeting Tuesday evening about whether incidental fee money should help bankroll extended library hours next year.
Only three students who aren’t senators attended the forum.
Senators have hesitated to authorize money to fund half the cost of 24/7 service at the Knight Library during Dead Week and Finals Week each term next year, concerned that using student money might be a “slippery slope” toward students funding more services.
Discussion at Tuesday’s forum continued this theme, with students saying the Senate should dip into the surplus as a last resort.
The library has offered students a place to cram around the clock since spring 2003. But this year, University librarian Deb Carver has said the library will no longer be able to shell out $4,000 a term for security.
Library records show that the extended library hours are used about 4,000 times per term.
Carver previously told the Senate that funding the extra hours falls outside the library’s core mission, adding that the library never intended to pay long term for the service, which primarily benefits students.
But EMU Board of Directors member Gabe Shaughnessy said students shouldn’t foot the bill.
“I think it’s ridiculous they’re asking us to pay for it,” he said. “If Frohnmayer is putting together a $600 million capital campaign, that’s a good place for them to look.”
Senator Lisa Lam said it would be helpful if the library publicized the funding problem.
Senator Austin Shaw-Phillips agreed, saying the Senate has taken heat over the library issue.
“We’re like their patsy,” he said.
Senators discussed sending postcards to University administrators advocating for the service.
But Shaw-Phillips said it’s already clear most students favor it, saying the best option now is to help the library look elsewhere for funding.

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