Letter to the editor

Students not benefiting from fund changes

I am writing in response to the “AFAB explores funding allocation changes” article on the front page of the Student Voice for this week.

First off, I would like to applaud Mr. Halverson for his support in the matter of dues paying organization allocations. I would just like to clarify a few things that may have been misconstrued or misunderstood. In response to Mr. Harshman’s statement about inclusiveness, the Greek organizations have LEGAL FEDERAL right to remain exclusive based solely on gender, but within those genders we are not exclusive about who can join. Let it also be known that there are both male and female Greek organizations on campus. It would be one thing if it were ALL male or ALL female.

Why is it that we are holding up a double standard? Our CSAB allows funding for dues paying sports clubs, yet our AFAB does NOT allow funding for dues paying organizations.

I would also like to address Ms. Shonoiki’s comment about Phi Mu’s River Falls Idol, as I have worked with this organization in the past and know full heartedly that this event is not a fundraiser. This event is a philanthropic event for Childrens Miracle Network only. I believe she meant that Phi Mu fundraises prior to the event to support its expenses. Phi Mu’s River Falls Idol is just one of many examples of how Greek organizations are non-profit. Another example of how Greek organizations don’t benefit financially is the campus wide Blood Drive, which is hosted and paid for by the Greek Community.

The most upsetting thing is that every student, including students that are affiliated with dues paying organizations, pay $68 per year to the Allocable Segregated Fund. The issue is that dues paying organizations do NOT benefit from the money that they HAVE to pay. Is it fair to segregate a student from funds he or she is forced to contribute? If we want to talk about fairness, that is as unfair as it gets.

Ben Casper
student