No decision on the future of Resident Computer Consultants

Behind closed doors, the Association of Residence Hall Students discussed the possibility of placing Resident Computer Consultants in all dorms next year.

ARHS came to no conclusions at the "informational meeting" Wednesday night and plans to discuss the issue further at the general meeting Monday night, Vice President Larry Paseornek said. Paseornek said he had no further comments on Wednesday night's discussion.

The issue was raised after Paseornek attended a meeting of the Student Advisory Committee to the Center for Academic Computing where representatives of CAC discussed the pilot program for RCCs, which is in place in East Halls.

RCC are students who live in the residence halls and assist students who have problems with their personal computers. The University pays the cost of their rooms as a stipend.

Undergraduate Student Government East Halls Senator Rob Dickey, who was at the SACCAC meeting, said representatives from CAC presented surveys of East Halls students that indicated students liked the new service.

"In my personal experience, it's been an asset," said Dickey, who has used the service. "I don't know of any student complaints about the service. I figure the benefits will outweigh the costs."

CAC has not announced whether the service will be extended to the rest of the campus, but Dickey said he thought it appeared that a decision may already have been made. Phone calls to CAC were not returned

Representatives were concerned that a decision may have been made without student input, Dickey said.

According to a news release, ARHS is "disappointed in the University's current lack of communication with student governmental associations." ARHS President Jolaine Gravish said she could not speak for the group, but is herself concerned about the possible costs to students.

Jeff Schlanger (sophomore-business logistics) said he hopes ARHS will continue to seek input before reaching a formal decision. Schlanger, an RCC, said the program has been effective in helping students.

"There may be people who are concerned about the costs to students but . . . more and more students are getting computers in their rooms and will need the service," Schlanger said.

No RCC was present at Wednesday night's closed meeting.

Closing student government meetings is atypical at the University. Traditionally, organizations such as ARHS, USG and Council of Commonwealth Student Government meetings are open to the public and the media except when discussing sensitive topics or personnel issues.

The last time ARHS closed a general meeting was when it considered impeaching former ARHS President Scott Payne. The meeting on Wednesday night was not a general meeting, although all elected representatives were invited, Paseornek said.

"It was a mistake for a student group to publicize a meeting like that, then invite the press and then close it to the press. They had a very public secret meeting," said USG Vice President Ed Kilpela.

The USG Senate has not closed a meeting in recent memory, although USG Academic Assembly closed one meeting four years ago. In his five years with the organization, CCSG President Tim Daniels does not recall closing a meeting to the media.