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UPASS waiting on RTA

By Sarah Thomas

Despite all the con-troversy surrounding UPASS, all signs point to go when deciding to bring it to Cleveland State University by fall 2003.

Since its original proposal in Oct. 2002, UPASS has caused uproar on all sides. The UPASS is a bus pass that would allow full-time students to use Regional Transit Auth-ority transportation at any time during a given semester for a one-time price of $15.

The Student Govern-ment Association held an election on Oct. 2-3 and the turnout was 473 to 138 in favor of UPASS. The vote, however, was not ratified because SGA said that there were too many unanswered questions.

A committee of SGA senators formed at an Oct. 18 meeting to develop a list of questions regarding the pass to be sent back to the original UPASS committee. In the end, the issue was taken directly to CSU President Michael Schwartz. He calmed the qualms of SGA well enough for it to ratify the UPASS vote with specific stipulations at the Dec. 6 meeting.

Stipulations included that the pass have no hidden costs and remain $15, an SGA representative be present during all UPASS negotiations, as well as other minor requests.

Now, miscommunication about the expected number of pass holders has led RTA to reject the proposed $15 fee. Norm Krumholz, chair of the original UPASS committee, said that he found it “very interesting because the proposal was suggested by RTA.”

Though Krumholz has no continued involvement in the issue since answering SGA’s questions, he said he is still conc-erned about UPASS being available to CSU students because “it would be a great deal for students.”

A representative from RTA, Steve Bitto, said the problem occurred because the pricing was based on 15,000 students having the pass. Originally, UPASS was only to be available to full-time students, which makes up about 8,000 of the student body. The 7,000 student difference results in a great difference in revenue for RTA. The only way to keep the ori-ginal proposed price is to include part-time students in the deal or raise the price.

Bitto said, “Our expr-essed goal is that CSU gets the pass and in as many hands as possible.”

A committee composed of CSU administration, staff, students, and RTA representatives must continue working to reach an agreement to satisfy both CSU and RTA. Gary Mes-zaros, Director of Auxiliary Services, said, “We want it to work out, so we’ll keep meeting until everyone’s happy.”

Meszaros has been part of the process since the beginning because he said UPASS would help alle-viate some of the parking problems. He will also be in charge of the ID center for UPASS.

“We have to solve a lot of internal issues before we can make a final decision,” Meszaros said.

Also part of the committee, Vice President of Business Affairs and Finance Jack Boyle said he is staying optimistic about “working out something satisfying to RTA and the student government.”

Boyle said further complicating things is Gov. Bob Taft’s proposal to reinstate the six percent cap on a university’s ability to raise tuition. If RTA were to propose a higher cost, UPASS may interfere with the cap.

Liz Alexy, president of SGA, said the student organization will continue to be involved to ensure that students still have a voice in the matter.

In the event that the cost of the UPASS would go up, the possibility for a new election would arise. “We want to make sure that the price stays the same. If it were to become $25, that’s not what the students voted for,” Alexy said.

Steve Liss, adviser of SGA, said the issue could become an item on the SGA’s general election ballot on April 7-9.

These are just some of the problems that need to be worked out to bring UPASS to CSU. Currently, the consensus is that there is no definite ans-wers but one: everyone wants to see the UPASS come to CSU by fall 2003 and all parties are intent on making it a reality.

Bitto assured, “It is something that is going to happen.”

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