Student Government members unanimously passed a resolution to recommend, via letters, that Governor Blagojevich’s fiscal year 2007 budget proposal to privatize student loans not be pursued.

The resolution was brought before the senate to make the student body aware of the message, said Andrew Berger, student executive vice president.

“This says that the student body does not support the governor’s proposal to sell the loan portfolio,” Berger said.

“This is going to directly affect all of us,” said senate member Jeffery W. Lange.

“It’s time to stand up and say no more,” said external relations chair Ben Marcy.

The senate passed a resolution to recommend, via letters, that the state support the Higher Education Assistance Act, which will allow students to receive benefits under the Low Cost Borrowers Benefits Program.

“This is to protect students’ interests,” Berger said.

The Student Government also tabled resolutions dealing with $3,324.89, which the student government owes from fiscal 2004. In the resolution, the organization is requesting $2894.39 be allocated from the Apportionment Board Reserve Account to cover the debt the Student Government acquired from fiscal 2004.

Student Body President Ryan Berger said the Student Government went into debt during fiscal 2004 due to poor spending, which involved large phone bills and Panther Service Day spending.

“Basically, we are asking the Apportionment Board to pay Apportionment Board,” said Mark Bates, co-chair of the Tuition and Fee Review Committee. “The reason we have to go to the Apportionment Board is because we don’t have the money to do it.”

“I think we are taking the easy way out,” said Tori Frazier, chair of the Diversity Affairs committee. “We need to learn to grow up and be responsible.”

Ryan Berger argued that by passing the resolutions, the Student Government was being fiscally responsible.

“The only alternative is we would have to give the budget office $3,000 right now,” Bates said.

Jillian Ruddy, student vice president for Business Affairs, said the Student Government has $6137.64 in their account. Ruddy hopes to implement a system to manage the budget responsibly by next week. All members of the Student Government requesting any funds over $50 would be required to fill out a form.

“It’s a way for us to be fiscally responsible,” said student speaker Sean Anderson.

The Student Government also tabled resolutions for Unity Week funding. The Unity Week committee is requesting $7,395 for a motivational speaker, three comedians and a dance theater to perform. The Student Government also tabled a resolution allotting $1,205 for prizes and giveaways during the event. The previous year’s budget for Unity Week was $2,600.

Chair of Technology Sub-Committee Austen Williams said the money would be used to enhance Unity Week.

The Student Government voted to pass six resolutions and tabled four.

Student Senate meets at 7 p.m. every Wednesday in the Arcola-Tuscola Room in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.