Too many questions

New policy regarding SGA leaves questions about institutional memory

So now the Student Government Association has an actual say over the allocation of student activity fees

Oh joy.

Beginning in the spring semester, SGA will be in control of $1.8 million to be dispersed to 50 student organizations.

All cuts – and increases – in funds must fall within a certain percentage and must be approved by Rodney Bennett, vice president for student affairs.

Although the current administration of SGA President Katie Barlow, Vice President Cameron Secord and Treasurer Joe Chaudoin fought hard for this right, The Red & Black’s editorial board has major concerns about this change in policy.

The question is not whether or not the administration is capable of handling this responsibility but of institutional memory.

If this administration had, say, a two-year term, they would have an additional year to prove it is worthy of controlling student fees.

But they don’t.

Next spring, in this plan’s guinea pig phase, the campaigns and elections for a new administration will take place.

Although giving the SGA actual authority – albeit a controlled authority – may spark students to actually vote for their “leaders,” there is no guarantee the general student population will flood the ballot boxes.

One semester is not enough time to determine the long-term benefits or drawbacks of this new policy for any administration. Nevermind the fact that next fall, a brand new administration – with new goals – will take over.

There are a lot of “What-ifs” here.

Will the next adminstration(s) want to follow in the footsteps of Barlow’s?

All new administrations will be required to submit a proposal to Bennett for approval before they can allocate fees.

There is not enough longevity in SGA to really make this policy work.

We applaud Barlow for pushing so hard to make earn this responsibility, but can we say the same for the next administration?

And that’s the biggest “what if?” of all.

- Michael Fitzpatrick for the editorial board