Without a doubt, Student Government Association President Andrew Friedson’s proposal to slash the current budget for student groups – including the SGA – shows restraint and appropriate consideration for other student groups. It is a step in the right direction to help alleviate a problem that plagued the SGA last year after multiple student groups cried foul when they were either denied funding or not given an adequate amount. However, this budget slash will take cooperation and major planning, particularly for the SGA, in order to cover all bases of funding for itself and other student groups.
According to Diamondback reporter Marissa Lang’s story “Friedson proposal would slash SGA budget,” (March 4) Friedson plans on cutting the sum to only a fifth of last year’s, reducing the SGA’s allotted sum to $75,000 from $185,000 last year. While we agree $185,000 was unnecessary at best for the SGA’s budget, will $75,000 really be adequate for this and future SGA administrations? With the addition of the SGA barbecue planned for this spring and the wish to continue the Crab Fest tradition of the past two years, the budget cuts might have the SGA tightening their belts a little bit more than they had originally planned for. These and other events need to be taken into consideration before any cuts are made. Friedson should not leave future administrations struggling to find funds for events long after he is gone.
Done correctly, this slash has the ability to allocate more funding to a wider variety of student groups. And while Friedson insists the budget cut is not in response to the debacle last year when multiple groups were left with inadequate funding or no funding at all, it is possible this budget cut and reallocation of funds will help ensur student groups never have to go through back-alley appeals for funding consideration again. While he may not be trying to make amends for the issues from last year, he is certainly doing so and ensuring a brighter future for student groups seeking funding from the SGA.
Friedson has an important and influential idea on his hands, and if handled and executed properly, he can make great changes for the future of the SGA and other student groups. We encourage the SGA to continue to pursue measures that will benefit the student population even when it risks their own interests.
