Restructuring
is not enough

The structure of SUUSA has been under examination and debate for the past month during the Constitutional Convention.
We believe this is a process that SUU needed to undergo as several issues such as bylaw adherence and the effectiveness of the C&O Assembly have surfaced this year.
Two possible structural systems have been mapped out by the convention. One is a unicameral system with the senate acting as a single legislative body where committees will approve both academic and extra—curricular funding.
The other is a bicameral system with the senate and the assembly as legislative bodies where C&O will approve extra—curricular and senate will approve academic funding much as it is now.
We support either of the structures as long as changes are made within the system that will allow for the following possibilities:
u Fair funding opportunities to all clubs and academics, large and small;
u The attraction of motivated, diligent and knowledgeable representatives in all branches of SUUSA;
u Emphasis on funding activities that will enhance the learning experience at SUU;
u The ability for all students to get involved in SUUSA’s decision-making process.
Under the unicameral system, small clubs and classes may be at a disadvantage as the larger ones have more of an ability to lobby. If the unicameral system is approved, we think there need to be procedures protecting the small clubs’ and classes’ rights to funding.
Having a large body to cover all academics and clubs could result in the senate knowing a few organizations well but never having the time to know the smaller ones. We believe small clubs and classes have just as much to offer SUU students as large ones. They need to have the same chances of getting funding for education-enhancing activities.
Under the current bicameral system, each category of clubs has delegates assigned to get to know the clubs, what they do, and what they want from the assembly. This allows the possibility for small clubs to get the same kind of funding large clubs do.
However, we see a flaw in the manner in which these delegates are chosen. Currently, delegates are given nothing for their service, and clubs have few candidates to choose from. There is also little chance a delegate is going to be removed if the job is not being done properly. We applaud delegates who are sincerely interested in improving the assembly and are dedicated to their jobs and would like to see more delegates like them.

  

We have seen clubs lose funding because delegates did not understand bylaws. It is unacceptable to have delegates who do not understand the system. We believe delegates need incentive to perform their jobs correctly. This may be in the form of a stipend contingent on performance, or class credit. Another option might be removal from the position if the job is not performed correctly.
In the past, we have seen funds approved for uses that do little to improve the educational experiences at SUU, while others, having immense value to the process, have been denied or hard to get. We believe sending students to a once-in-a-life-time conference or competition should far outweigh social events and inter-club mingles. In addition, we think student fees should stay within SUU to the greatest extent possible. We discourage the assembly from awarding clubs more funding than other organizations recieve on campus to benefit organizations outside of the university.
Finally, we feel the current system alienates clubs, classes and students from participating. When delegates do not get in contact with their clubs or don’t vote as their clubs want them to, there is little reason for them to give their input. We encourage the development of a system that is easy to understand, where rules for obtaining money are laid out clearly and make sense.
The Journal is committed to continue covering SUUSA and all its bodies to the best of its ability with detailed coverage so students can be informed of what the university is doing and where student fees are being spent.

The opinion expressed above is the collective perspective of the University Journal and its editorial board. The editorial board meets every Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Room 172 of the Sharwan Smith Center. Visitors are welcome..