To ease concerns and answer questions about the open letter from Miami University faculty to the board of trustees presented more than a week ago, university senate allotted part of its Monday meeting to have an open discussion on the letter.
William Houk, physics professor, was the only author of the letter present but gave insight into the argument presented in the letter and information about the resolution.
One of the major concerns that arose dealt with residence halls. Madelyn Detloff, associate professor of English and women's studies and director of women's studies, said she is concerned about renovations not happening, as she previously worked at a different university where renovations were put on hold and the plan backfired.
Houk assured the resolution would allow for renovations as needed.
"There's nothing in this resolution that's intended to say that any of this group is in favor of not doing anything," Houk said. "It's a proactive statement about being careful about using our resources in this difficult time. It's much like saying don't use your credit card right now because you don't have enough money on it."
Houk said the letter is not saying not to build a student center and not to update residence halls, but to make a statement to the board of trustees about spending funds.
David Creamer, vice president of finance and business services, said the housing plan, including building and renovations, would most likely end up being a 20-year plan and would include a minimal amount of new building.
"At a minimum, the residence hall plan is likely to play out (over) more than 20 years," Creamer said. "It's likely to be focused on the buildings we have because we can only take off so many buildings at a time."
Creamer also said a commitment was made to the board to not increase housing outside of normal increases, and he agreed with the importance of the letter being brought to the board of trustees and university senate.
"This is something we can't ignore," Creamer said. "We should have these debates."
Jeanne Hey, interim dean of Miami University Middletown (MUM), said she was also concerned the letter seemed strict about not spending funds, while Houk said the statements in the letter are purely advisory.
Houk said construction of the Bicentennial Student Center (BSC) and long-range housing plans will just put the university into even more debt, and that money could be spent better elsewhere.
"We're not bringing students here because we don't have the scholarship funds," Houk said.
Houk said the point was to get the message of the faculty that signed the letter across to the board of trustees about how the university spends its funds and what is rational to do. Houk said he was not sure, however, whether university senate knew how the board of trustees would handle it.
"I don't know if people understand this or not but the board of trustees will do as it sees fit, against the advice of the senate or anybody else," Houk said. "Nothing in here constrains the board of trustees from doing what it wishes."
Student concerns were raised.
Susan Vaughn, director of ethics and student conflict resolution, said she was behind the students on this issue. Vaughn said Miami needs the BSC because of the space it would provide and the impact it would have on future students.
"Right now 40 of our student organizations have space and it's really shameful space," Vaughn said. "Student life is important."
She added the BSC would have four times as much study space as King Library, which students said would be a very good thing.
Adam Clampitt-Dietrich, president of Associated Student Government student senate, said finding space at King has been very difficult.
Clampitt-Dietrich also said student organizations need more space than they currently have.
"Student organizations are one of our major selling points, but they don't even have desks," Clampitt-Dietrich. "We just don't have the study space and the student organization space."
Further discussion ended, with Kate Rousmaniere, chair and professor of educational leadership, citing that only one author of the letter was present and that there was no immediate action for senate to take.
