Despite recent controversy over the autonomy of the University of Colorado Student Union, administrators and student leaders insist that all is well between the two parties.
The issues began two weeks ago when a bill that intended to give fraternities equal access to UCSU cost centers – such as the UMC, Wardenburg and the Recreation Center – was shelved indefinitely. Fraternities have not been officially affiliated with the university since last spring, when they refused to agree to the university’s new policy of deferred rush and live-in advisors. Therefore, they are not entitled to discounted rates that other student groups receive when renting university building space.
Chris Kline, the bill’s sponsor and vice president of the legislative council, pulled the bill during the legislative council meeting Sept. 28, citing concerns that approving a bill opposed by the administration could weaken UCSU’s autonomy.
Kline referred to a conversation he had that afternoon with Ron Stump, vice chancellor for student affairs. According to Kline, Stump said that he would direct UCSU cost centers to ignore such a directive if it passed.
UCSU could appeal that decision to Chancellor Bud Peterson and the Board of Regents, who could ignore UCSU’s authority rather than execute the bill, according to Kline.
“The student union exists almost as a fa
