2008 Woodie Awards
Staff Editorial: Bake a bigger pie
The Editorial Staff
Issue date: 5/5/08 Section: Opinion
"We must all hang together, or assuredly we
shall all hang separately." ~ Benjamin Franklin
When Student Government Association President Andrew Friedson submitted a budget that would trim the SGA's budget by about $100,000, it was an admirable example of honest reflection and action in the interests of students. Why tie up money in an organization that has no shortage of it, when it can be distributed to other student groups in need?
But it turns out this extra cash would not be enough to satisfy the demands of student groups. This year's appeals process demonstrates the extent to which demand for funding has gone beyond the means of the SGA to distribute it. Of the 12 groups that made appeals in the second round of deliberations to the legislature, none received additional funds. In fact, the SGA had to appeal to itself for more money in order to make up for cuts made in addition to Friedson's budget - yet this, too, was denied.
Much of this year's damage was caused by a graduated cut system that shaved off the budgets of all groups indiscriminately. In next year's process, the effectiveness of this method ought to be examined carefully.
This year's gap between demand and allocated funds can be interpreted optimistically as a sign of the general vitality of student groups. A record 242 student groups applied for SGA funding this year. And since SGA funding is not dependent on the type of student group that requests it, this demand exists across the wide spectrum of student concerns.
While six groups lost out on funding at the end of this year's proceedings, the planning for next year has begun. The SGA has decided to propose a $2-per-student- per-semester increase in the student activities fee in order to ensure "the financial well-being of student groups," and this increase will have to be approved by the Board of Regents for adoption next spring.
Based on the demand for SGA funding witnessed this year, this measure is needed, and because the increase is spread out over the entire student body, the extra $2 each student will have to pay is not too onerous. Moreover, the responsibility shown by the SGA in trimming its own budget vouches for the body's honest intention to provide more money for student groups in need, who are responsible for much of the vitality and culture on the campus. It is rare when the effects of a potential fee increase are so directly beneficial to students, so there should be no hesitation in supporting this measure.
POLICY: The signed letters, columns and cartoon represent only the opinions of the authors. The staff editorial represents the opinion of The Diamondback's editorial board and is the responsibility of the editor in chief.
shall all hang separately." ~ Benjamin Franklin
When Student Government Association President Andrew Friedson submitted a budget that would trim the SGA's budget by about $100,000, it was an admirable example of honest reflection and action in the interests of students. Why tie up money in an organization that has no shortage of it, when it can be distributed to other student groups in need?
But it turns out this extra cash would not be enough to satisfy the demands of student groups. This year's appeals process demonstrates the extent to which demand for funding has gone beyond the means of the SGA to distribute it. Of the 12 groups that made appeals in the second round of deliberations to the legislature, none received additional funds. In fact, the SGA had to appeal to itself for more money in order to make up for cuts made in addition to Friedson's budget - yet this, too, was denied.
Much of this year's damage was caused by a graduated cut system that shaved off the budgets of all groups indiscriminately. In next year's process, the effectiveness of this method ought to be examined carefully.
This year's gap between demand and allocated funds can be interpreted optimistically as a sign of the general vitality of student groups. A record 242 student groups applied for SGA funding this year. And since SGA funding is not dependent on the type of student group that requests it, this demand exists across the wide spectrum of student concerns.
While six groups lost out on funding at the end of this year's proceedings, the planning for next year has begun. The SGA has decided to propose a $2-per-student- per-semester increase in the student activities fee in order to ensure "the financial well-being of student groups," and this increase will have to be approved by the Board of Regents for adoption next spring.
Based on the demand for SGA funding witnessed this year, this measure is needed, and because the increase is spread out over the entire student body, the extra $2 each student will have to pay is not too onerous. Moreover, the responsibility shown by the SGA in trimming its own budget vouches for the body's honest intention to provide more money for student groups in need, who are responsible for much of the vitality and culture on the campus. It is rare when the effects of a potential fee increase are so directly beneficial to students, so there should be no hesitation in supporting this measure.
POLICY: The signed letters, columns and cartoon represent only the opinions of the authors. The staff editorial represents the opinion of The Diamondback's editorial board and is the responsibility of the editor in chief.
Submit a letter to the editor or post a comment below.
Be the first to comment on this story