Clubs have often found issue with Student Government’s appropriations committee and how it determines club budgets. Accusations have ranged from racial divide to political favoritism. Students have brought up injustices publicly at the annual town meeting and privately within their own club meetings. They’ve addressed members of SGA and demanded insight into the process of allotting funds. Club members cannot understand why SGA robs them of the essential money needed to run effective organizations.

But as SGA continues to become an organization of diverse thinkers and allures students from all political and social preferences, it seems that the governing body of the students is not playing favorites-at least not this year.

The problem is the amount of money SGA is allotted from the University is not enough to then extend to the clubs under its jurisdiction.

For over 20 years, SGA has divided $600,000 between itself and all of its clubs. As the world outside of the University bubble faces inflation and the cost of living in general naturally increases, SGA has been left to use 20th century funds in a 21st century economy. Clubs spend more for events than they would have 20 years ago; however, they are allotted the same budgets. Of course the clubs would be frustrated with all of the forced limitations and of course it would appear SGA is the monster to blame.

What SGA senators have to do, and have mildly attempted in the past, is to petition administrators to seriously consider what measures could be taken to increase the student government contingency. One senator estimated that measuring inflation, the contingency should be over one million dollars. With a contingency a couple $100,000 higher, all clubs could have ample funds to then develop greater organizations.

Currently, potential student leaders become discouraged when they are turned away from the appropriations committee with less money than they had hoped for. The University cannot afford to allow student leaders to dwindle. Not at this school.

Until there is change, SGA can work to ensure fairness by making club budgets visible to all students. Since it is student money, they should be allowed to see where their money is being distributed. This would force SGA to be completely fair and unbiased in deciding club budgets.