To the Editor,
Whatever happened to the promotion of clubs and the democratic style of the Board of Governors? The General Assembly meeting two Sundays ago was met with disdain from the university’s club leaders. Despite the $2,000 increase in the Board of Governor’s budget for 2002-2003, regulations for club funding were heavily imposed.
A prime example is the Model United Nations Club. Although I am biased (as an officer in the club), I believe that the Club fulfills the potential and the visions of the university’s mission. We function in an academic environment, promoting scholarship, debate, and exposure to other universities nationally and internationally. This club, which received the Organization of the Year Award, took part in fundraisers, along with every FUSA sponsored event that facilitated the involvement of clubs.
Last year, Board of Governor’s approved $2,000, which covered only part of the expenses towards two out of three conferences. This year the limit imposed would only allow the club under the Allocation Guidelines to receive $250 at maximum (without “special permission”). Without this funding we lose our livelihood and the university would lose its ambassadors-of-positive-reputation.
The Board of Governor’s was founded under the premise that students should control student activities because we are closer to the source. Vin Farisello, former chairman and founder commented, “When I founded the BOG, I imagined it creating an environment that was much more conducive to the growth of on-campus organizations and flexible enough to deal with each particular club’s complex and individual aims and purposes… As soon as this whole process becomes a hassle, the entire point of this idea is defeated.”
There are always ways to get around a constitution, but a constitution should be written in such a way that it facilitates club growth. Under the new “Guidelines for Allocation,” Model United Nations, which boasts some 50 members, can hypothetically break up into sub-clubs that can all make the same $250 request for funding. If that is what it takes to exist, then the University will soon have an “Around-the-World with Fairfield University Club,” a “Global Debate Guild,” an “International Conference Association,” a “Globalization Discussion Society,” an “International Studies Alliance,” an “International Business Symposium Group,” a “World Exploration Club” and good ole’ Model United Nations- the father of all sub-clubs. With the birth of these sub-clubs and the adoption of BOG advisor Steve Winkel’s “co-sponsorship” suggestion, we could ring in a total of $2,000: the same amount that Model United Nations received last year from the Board of Governors.
The Board of Governors places itself on a pedestal above the student body. To have club leaders groveling for funds does not facilitate growth. The Board of Governors is currently the antithesis of its original mission. Why take a good club and shoot it in the foot? Thank you Board of Governors.
Sincerely, Melissa B. Thompson
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