Should student fees pay for FlexPass?

The PSU Debate Team held their Winter Public Debate in Parkway North yesterday, arguing for and against using student fees to buy TriMet FlexPasses for every full-time student.

In front of attendees there to view the debate and others who were eating or typing on their laptops in Smith Memorial Student Union, the Debate Team gave their arguments while occasionally pounding on their tables in debating tradition.

Josh Gross and Cameron McFee argued that the FlexPass was essential for better access to the university. Virginia Vickery and Sean Partch reasoned that Portland already has access to free mass transit with Fareless Square.

The debate was not based on any specific plans by the Student Fee Committee, ASPSU or PSU.

A related idea, for which ASPSU President Rudy Soto is attempting to garner support within student government, would use unused student fees to make the FlexPass cheaper for students to buy. Soto said his proposal differs from the debate topic, because it would not require all students to subsidize the cost of the pass. He said he will hopefully bring his proposal to the Student Senate to ask for their support next Tuesday.