At the University there are few things students have control over. They can’t decide where their money is spent, what brand of soda they drink or whether Public Safety installs double swiping doors.

The only aspect the students really have control over are the clubs and organizations they are a part of. Through these clubs students find leadership, friendship and responsibility. They work hard to establish these clubs. Often it is these organizations that encourage retention and maintain student satisfaction.

For these reasons it is important that the University be honest, forthright and accommodating when clubs are trying to accomplish a goal. The red tape spanning the University needs at the very least be cut at Student Activities.

For the most part, this administrative office is welcoming. Director of Student Activities Anita Ellis cares about students. Pam Orefice does as well. Anna Arena is possibly the kindest secretary at the University. But the problem in this office this year has been the accessibility and responsibility of the Student Government owned vans.

These vans were bought by SGA for club use only. The keys to the vans are held in the Student Activities office. Three years ago SGA put a law into effect that would make any un-SGA related use cost a fee. Since that first year, no fees have been collected. However, it is documented that various administrative offices have used the vans without SGA consent. The vans have been spotted at the Rec Center, Dunkin Donuts and coming from the direction of Roosevelt Field.

So while people in control continue to overlook the intended use of the vans, the clubs have difficulty using them. The vans are sometimes double-booked, the wrong keys are distributed or clubs are not informed of strikes until weeks after an infraction took place. The sports clubs that need the vans the most for away games were recently told they could no longer use the vans because they make them “too dirty.”

Student Government needs to regain some form of authority over the vans. It needs at the very least a chairperson to oversee Student Activities because clearly it is not handled well now.

Student involvement is so scarce on this campus that the University cannot afford to disenchant those who are active. But if student leaders continually have to deal with irresponsibility at the upper levels they too will become frustrated. SGA has a distinct window of opportunity to give students control.