Same problems
require change
The members of the Constitutional Convention decided
to change the Clubs & Organizations Assembly.
This change makes me sad because I have strong emotional
ties to this body of government. I know that sounds weird,
but I spent a lot of time with the assembly. Not only
did I cover the C&O Assembly last semester for the
University Journal, but I was on the committee that created
the assembly three years ago.
Many of the problems that existed then were fix, but many
still exist.
Three years ago we were concerned about checks and balances
in the system and streamlining the process.
Three years ago each club had a representative who voted
on where the money should go. However, the representative
could only vote after the club earned points to put it
in good standing.
Also, the money was distributed in a lump sum at the end
of the school year for the following year.
This created a lot of problems because clubs would overestimate
the amount of money they needed for the next year, and
sometimes clubs that recieved money did not exist at SUU
the following year.
In the committee that formed the assembly, I represented
a small club that had not received money that year. Others
involved were current and previous senators, the SUUSA
president, Dean of Students Neal Cox, and other student
representatives.
I believe that theoretically the C&O Assembly is a
productive and useful body of government and was a big
improvement over the previous system.
Currently, delegates are elected from a category of clubs
to represent all the clubs in the category.
This improved the process of getting money and gave the
clubs the equal opportunity needed in obtaining money.
However, the C&O Assembly still contains loopholes.
That is why the Constitutional Convention continues to
debate the best solutions.
As I have watched the assembly the past three years, I
see two primary problems. First, there is a lack of respect
for the delegates’ positions. I do not speak about
all delegates — many delegates dedicated numerous
hours to representing their clubs. But others didn’t
care.
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By the end of the first semester, three delegates resigned
— primarily for personal reasons. Any position is
going to take a lot of time and dedication. My father has
always told me that when a person does not fulfill a promise
or an obligation, he or she loses credibility. I know I
am far from perfect in this area, but I strive to accomplish
what I promise to do.
The second problem is that a certain club stocked the assembly
full of its members. The delegates represent other clubs,
but also strongly represent themselves. Each club only wants
what is best for itself.
Third, delegates allocating student fees are not elected
representatives. Only representatives elected by the students
should divide fees.
Every system is going to have loopholes. The goal is to
eliminate the loopholes and make sure no particular branch
of government, or person, be granted too much power.
I am watching carefully as something I spent hours helping
create is changing. I understand improvements must be made.
I just hope the Constitutional Convention improves SUUSA
and the division of funds.
If not, future SUUSA members will find themselves in a new
Constitutional Convention.
Kim Patterson is the Associate Editor — Opinion for
the Univeristy Journal. She can be reached at patterson@gavtron.com.
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