2008 Woodie Awards
Editorial: SGA members need to reach out to students
Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: Opinion/Editorial
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The Student Government Association is, in a lot of ways, the big man on campus. SGA is the go-to campus entity for money for trips, conferences and special student projects. However, the confusion surrounding bylaws, rules, budgets and allocation often leaves students, even some members of SGA a bit confused.
As important as SGA is, there should be some sort of educational process for students and SGA members so facts about procedures can be explained. Now that the student activity fee has been added into the mix, students may be even more confused about why student organization budgets are so strained. Some may not even realize the activity fee has nothing to do with the SGA allocation fund or the way student budget information is processed.
What good is having a big pool of money that no one understands how to use?
All of the burden seems to have been placed on the SGA comptroller, who appears to be the designated number-cruncher. Let's not forget that SGA members are after all, students themselves. When fellow students are getting lost in the bureaucracy of it all, the blame does not fall on the comptroller alone, but the shoulders of all members of SGA.
Some officers of student organizations and clubs may be feeling a disconnect between themselves and SGA. Something needs to be done to bridge the gap and simplify information. Every semester, student organizations are required to submit paperwork, receipts and other statements in order to maintain recognition by SGA and justify their budgets and spending. Beyond that, the average student may not understand why certain student groups are awarded more money than others.
The Journal has faith that, with a little bit of honest effort, SGA can clear the discontent among students who just don't understand how it all works. This isn't, after all, the Wizard of Oz and the SGA members don't speak to the masses as an oblivious voice in the sky. Communication is key.
As important as SGA is, there should be some sort of educational process for students and SGA members so facts about procedures can be explained. Now that the student activity fee has been added into the mix, students may be even more confused about why student organization budgets are so strained. Some may not even realize the activity fee has nothing to do with the SGA allocation fund or the way student budget information is processed.
What good is having a big pool of money that no one understands how to use?
All of the burden seems to have been placed on the SGA comptroller, who appears to be the designated number-cruncher. Let's not forget that SGA members are after all, students themselves. When fellow students are getting lost in the bureaucracy of it all, the blame does not fall on the comptroller alone, but the shoulders of all members of SGA.
Some officers of student organizations and clubs may be feeling a disconnect between themselves and SGA. Something needs to be done to bridge the gap and simplify information. Every semester, student organizations are required to submit paperwork, receipts and other statements in order to maintain recognition by SGA and justify their budgets and spending. Beyond that, the average student may not understand why certain student groups are awarded more money than others.
The Journal has faith that, with a little bit of honest effort, SGA can clear the discontent among students who just don't understand how it all works. This isn't, after all, the Wizard of Oz and the SGA members don't speak to the masses as an oblivious voice in the sky. Communication is key.
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