I respect the Student Government Association for spending laborious time analyzing the budget to determine how each student’s money is being spent. By reading past articles of The Northeastern News, I also understand the reasoning for examining RSA’s financial records, as it collectively has the largest budget on campus. However, I regret to see that this has become a battle between SGA and RSA.

In the Feb. 19 issue of The News, SGA Vice President of Financial Affairs Michael Benson, stated that the “fact that the Resident Student Fee (RSF) is being used for laundry alone makes me concerned.” As the RA in West Village who choreographed this program, I would like to comment on his response.

Students decided to pay $17 (the current RSF) a quarter for programs and various on-campus activities. As an RA, part of my responsibility is to plan and carry out programs for residents. “Love and Laundry” was a program in West Village on Feb. 11. Utilizing the RSF, I provided valentines, candies, quarters, laundry detergent and dryer sheets for the residents. Only residents who came to the event were allowed to collect valentines and moneys, and five dollars (the equivalence of two loads of laundry) was allotted. (Some residents brought their laundry to the meeting and did it then). The community agreement for the two floors involved also was created at this meeting/program, and each student who came had attribute to this contract, which is now posted on the floors and used to keep up our part of the West Village community. We also discussed various issues that have arisen in the first half of this year and how they will be handled in the future.

“Love and Laundry” was not merely “free laundry being provided,” but a program and floor meeting that built community, established relationships, and educated students on various issues we have been facing.

I have had no complaints from any residents about the “Love and Laundry” program. The only complaint I have received is from Benson, who did not attend, ask for further information or educate himself on it. In contrast, residents have asked me to replicate it in the future. As someone who is responsible for planning how to spend the RSF, I have asked my residents what programs they want and I have done my best to provide these programs for them.

This is not meant to be a personal attack against any individual or group. I hope that in the future these two bodies, whose purpose is to enrich student life on campus, recognize that they have a common goal and begin to collaborate together to achieve it instead of pursuing a debate that can hinder their purposes. If the problem lies in how the money is being spent, than a survey should be conducted in each of the residents halls in which students can voice how they would like there programming money spent. It is in fact their money and is best used for their interests.

– Aleda York is a junior ASL, English

and interpretating major and

an RA in West Village A.