by Wendy J. Allyn

A proposed $7,000 system to upgrade office computers has sparked debate among members of the Undergraduate Student Government. Some say it will be useful while others feel it is overrated.

USG President Duane Sherman said student government is entering a new era where state and federal – not just campus issues – affect college students. Tracking state and national legislation in order to influence issues before they get to campus has become a priority, he said.

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Sherman said in order to stay ahead on legislative issues that concern students and to disseminate information quickly, USG needs updated computer technology to provide easy access to the Internet, the World Wide Web and SIUC’s Campus-Wide Information System.

If we can’t compete and use the same technology (legislators) do, we’re going to get run over, Sherman said.

USG Senator Toby Trimmer said he thinks the system is too expensive, and its benefits are not equal to its cost.

It’s a matter of unnecessary spending, Trimmer said. Given the cost benefit analysis, I can think of one or two people who are going to benefit from it.

Trimmer said keeping up with legislation may be important, but it does not require such extensive technology.

With a stronger focus on state and federal issues, Trimmer said he feels USG is losing sight of issues closer to the students of SIUC. The organization may be setting goals out of its reach, he said.

We’re forgetting things like city issues, Trimmer said. When you spread yourself too thin, nothing can be accomplished.

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Mike Kauffman, state liaison on USG’s State Government Relations Commission, said the system will allow SIUC to interact more quickly and less expensively with other universities, which would aid in influencing legislation.

It will create a stronger bond with other students in the state, Kauffman said. It would be a pretty big voice.

Kauffman, who uses USG computers to monitor state legislation, said he probably uses them more than anyone else in USG. Dan Piper, USG governmental affairs commissioner, and the three USG executives also use them frequently, Kauffman said.

Kauffman said USG Senators might use the USG computers more if the system is implemented.

According to Senator Jemal Powell, the technology is necessary for USG to be on equal ground with legislators who might go against the interests of students.

If people are working against student interests by getting on the Internet, why shouldn’t we? Powell said.

Powell said USG executives want the system implemented solely to benefit the students they are representing.

This is not a toy for the executives, he said. This is so USG can access information quickly that will be valuable to our constituents.

Last summer, USG hired Mark Collins as a computer systems analyst to research the benefits and lowest cost of updated technology.

The system Collins proposed was presented to the Graduate and Professional Student Council last week. GPSC was offered equal access to the system if they paid almost half the cost. Members of the council voted against the proposal. GPSC members said the benefits to the council would not be worth the amount they were asked to contribute.

Sherman said the USG Senate will vote on adopting the system without GPSC support at the senate meeting Wednesday.