When Lauren Miheli, junior conservation major, got the microphone at a forum with President Carol Cartwright last night, she used her time to ask if the university would join her organization in boycotting Boise paper.

Students Eliminating Environmental Destruction, along with Undergraduate Student Senate, contend Boise's operations are destructive to the environment.

"We may have to agree to disagree," Cartwright responded.

Miheli said she hoped Cartwright would have been more supportive.

"Of course I understand the administration does have money as a concern, while ours (SEED) is the environment," Miheli said later. "Seeing it's something students should care about, I think she should take it more into consideration."

Miheli was one of about 40 students who lounged in couches and over-sized chairs last night, inhabiting a back corner of the Cyber Cafe and posing questions to Cartwright. Students ate burritos and chips and wanted Cartwright to address concerns ranging from its budget to concerns of students with disabilities.

Michelle Ratycz, president of Ability Unlimited, asked Cartwright: "Can you justify charging money for a parking pass to students with a state of Ohio handicapped pass?"

Ratycz, a graduate student in rehab counseling, contended this is illegal.

"I wasn't aware that was happening," Cartwright answered. "I'll certainly look into it."

Phil Eckenrode, senator for student relations, sponsored the forum. He asked Cartwright to explain the university's budget.

She described balancing the budget as "a very complicated and a very elaborate process" that serves "a very large and a very complex organization."

When Eckenrode asked Cartwright if the administration could avoid cutting student jobs, the president said she understands some students have to work to pay for college, but everything is "on the table" and is considered for cutting in the budget.

"Will we protect every single one of them?" Cartwright asked. "Probably not."

Addressing the ever-present concerns of parking on campus, Cartwright said building a parking deck would be "pretty close to a last resort."

"Do people want parking so badly that they're willing to pay for it?" Cartwright asked. "That's the trade-off."

Julie Gumerman, sophomore English major, asked Cartwright why there isn't a place on campus to vote for November elections.

"It's worth looking into," Cartwright told her. "It's an intriguing idea."

Gumerman, who is also a member of SEED, asked why the cafeterias use disposable dishes.

Cartwright said she's researched this issue, and she has learned it costs more to the environment to use disposables than it does to use actual dishes.

E-mail: jcoomes@kent.edu