We would like to bring to your attention an event that has caused strong emotion in the area of student activities. Last year’s passing of the Student Government’s referendum was a turbulent, but triumphant effort. By student vote, the Student Activities Fee Referendum was passed, thus providing more funds for student groups to work with. The change in the Student Activities Fee has given the smaller student groups the ability to organize events that could have never been done under the old Student Activities Fee. Because this referendum provides student groups with more money than they’ve had in the past, the Budget Review Committee has been hearing more budget requests for varied exciting projects.
For example, recently the Class of 2007 and the Students for Environmental Action have teamed up to schedule a presentation and book signing of the Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin. This event, which will be the largest event to take place presented by a small student organization, will take place Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Student Center’s West Addition. Corwin will be presenting a discussion on wildlife conservation followed by a reception where he will be signing copies of his new book “Living on the Edge,” which will be sold in the Curry Student Center.
We strongly believe that this type of event would not have been available, especially for smaller student groups, had the referendum not been put in place this year. The BRC has the arduous task of dispersing funding to student groups who request money for projects. Prior to this referendum, mainly groups like the Council for University Programs and the Student Government Association would be the only ones approved to put on the more expensive shows. Therefore, we would like to note the opportunity the referendum gives to small student groups who otherwise would not have the resources available to pull off such large-scale events.
— Tom McCann is a behavioral nueroscience major and President of the class of 2007. John Jakutis is a music industry major and Public Relations Rep. for the class of 2007.
