Congress to Support TPAC Restructuring

Congress members said the resolution also might include a admonition of TPAC Chairman Bob Knight, who admitted misrepresentation in his statement to the committee last week.

At last week's TPAC meeting, Knight announced five budgetary directives that he said came from Chancellor James Moeser. He later admitted that the directives did not come from Moeser but were his own. Knight said he hoped the guidelines would pressure TPAC into agreeing on a budget for the Department of Public Safety, which is facing a $2 million budget deficit for the 2002-03 fiscal year.

Student Body President Justin Young, who also is a TPAC member, said at Tuesday's Congress meeting that TPAC members do not trust Knight.

He also said last week's events are proof that the person who fills the role of chairman for TPAC should not come from University administration.

"I think (TPAC members) felt forced to make a decision on something inappropriate," he said. "There's too much meddling from South Building."

Decisions made by TPAC have to be approved by Moeser and by the UNC Board of Trustees before they are enacted.

Young encouraged members of Congress to draft a resolution supporting the reorganization of TPAC, possibly including equal representation for students, faculty and staff and an overall downsizing of the committee.

These points were suggested at a Monday meeting between student leaders and Nancy Suttenfield, vice chancellor for finance and administration.

Young said student government leaders would applaud any action taken by Congress.

"To say we had an interesting fiasco (last week) would be an understatement," he said. "Whatever action Congress takes, a resolution would be greatly appreciated."

Congress Speaker Mark Townsend suggested that Congress consider admonishing Knight for his actions at last week's TPAC meeting as part of the resolution.

"I think we need to say that it's not OK that (Knight) did this," he said.

Ethics Committee Chairman Dave Ruddell will be drafting the resolution.

Congress also voted not to override Young's veto on a bill involving funding for student organizations. The bill, which would take away money from inactive or unrecognized groups, was vetoed when it was discovered that the Italian Club had been included in the bill by mistake.

Congress also passed several financial bills involving funding for student organizations. The bills will provide funding for Shakespeare's Sister, the Undergraduate Art Association, Carolina Mock Trial and the Thai Student Association of UNC.

A bill to provide funding for The Impact Movement was postponed.

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.