The University Park Allocations Committee has been under fire in recent months, and some students have come forward with what they say are fresh ideas or improvements to the existing ones, to stem future attacks.

The seven UPAC candidates had many different motivations for running and separate issues they want to cover.

Daniel Curry (junior-marketing) said his initiative for running for a seat was "to make a difference and to have more of an input in the university." Curry also said the early depletion of funds made him want to become involved.

Ankur Sarodia (junior-electrical engineering) said he wants to figure out why the UPAC money ran out so early this semester.

Adam Kapp (junior-English and psychology) said his motivations stemmed from attending an information session that UPAC hosted in February.

"What really struck me was how the audience responded so negatively," Kapp said. "What right do you have to criticize people who stepped up?"

Kapp added, "These are all students and I think they all did a good job with what they had. They're trying to make the right call."

Some candidates feel UPAC needs some changes.

Brianne Bell (junior-art education) said, "Originally, I wanted to see a more election-based UPAC. I'm looking into restructuring UPAC."

Bell said she wants to examine the allocation of money not by limiting funding, but instead by being more resourceful in distributing money.

One of Logan Harr's (senior-mechanical engineering and nuclear engineering) main motivations for running was his disapproval for the funding of Cuntfest, an event sponsored by Womyn's Concerns last semester.

Tsang Yu Lee (junior-management science and information systems and international business) said that he wanted to raise awareness about UPAC to Asian students at University Park. He said that most of the Asian students he approached did not know what a student activity fee was or that they were paying one.

Kacy Gambles (junior-finance and international business) is also running for a position on the committee but could not be reached for comment.

The question of whether or not to raise the $38 student activity fee, currently the lowest fee in the Big 10, has been an issue with UPAC as well as other student organizations.

The candidates' views on the fee increase varied.

"I think it's fine where it is but it needs to be budgeted better," Harr said.

Sarodia said he felt that in time it would need to be raised.

"I would be in favor of a small increase in the student activity fee," Kapp said.

Some candidates thought that the student activity fee being used for the HUB-Robeson Center renovation costs should continue to be implemented.

"I agree with it. I think what they've done is well worth it because it promotes involvement," Curry said.

Kapp said because the HUB is a highly used building, the fee should remain.

Others disagreed.

"I don't agree with it," Bell said. "I think there's nothing we can do about that now, that's already been budgeted. We can fight it as much as we want, but it's an endless battle."

Most candidates were surprised at the low number of candidates that applied for the UPAC positions.

"I think without many people running, it kind of sends the message that people are happy with the way things are running," Harr said.

Kapp believed that running for a UPAC position could have given more students an opportunity to make a difference.

"The fact that people didn't take that opportunity shows that people will endlessly complain, but when it comes time to take action, they disappear," he said.

Lee said he was surprised because he thought that more people were unsatisfied with the funds drying up so fast.

Kapp said the number of people in the audience at the UPAC information session numbered more than seven.

"Certainly the number of people around campus that complained is larger than seven — put your money where you mouth is," he added.

Eddie Elizondo, outgoing UPAC chairman, said there have been some students that have asked about the positions as write-in candidates.

"As far as I know, people have at least called in and inquired about the positions," he said.