Letter to the Editor
Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: Opinion
SGA…Do Work
The following article does not necessarily represent the views of members of The Rotunda editorial board.
Disclaimer: I am an involved student on campus and I am about to voice many frustrations and concerns that I feel a good amount of the student body also have. I am in no way implying that I am speaking for the entire student body.
Dear SGA,
Have you forgotten what the "S" stands for? Let me remind you...STUDENT! I was under the impression that your role as SGA was to serve your fellow students, listen to our concerns and help meet our needs. I have heard of numerous clubs and organizations that go in front of you to ask for funding and are denied regularly. How are you serving us? How are you supporting the interests of the entire student body by not granting these funds? Lancer Productions puts on great programs on a regular basis because they are given a large amount of money, which allow these programs to be possible. I love LP and what they do for the students but they do not get a consistent turnout to make their budget worthy of what it is.
On the other hand, in the last issue of The Rotunda there was an article that said SGA denied APO, the co-ed service fraternity, funds to attend a national conference because they have "private rituals." Really? Two thoughts about that: 1. If the president and vice president of SGA are "WORKING" on creating a new bylaw that would restrict giving funds to closed organizations with private rituals (which, the article in last week's Rotunda says that they are doing just this), and that bylaw is NOT CURRENTLY in place, how can you deny funds for that reason? That bylaw does not exist; therefore, you cannot deny funds on that basis. 2. Why does it matter if they have "private rituals" if that organization is made up of Longwood students? If they have legit reasons for needing the funding and are not asking for outrageous items, why not support them??
Rumor has it that SGA has not used all of their budget for many years in order to donate the remaining funds back to the school in order to make themselves look good. I don't know if this is just a rumor, but if it is true, clubs and organizations are not benefiting from this "gesture." Clubs and organizations that did not have to charge in the past now must charge their members fees and dues in order to make up for the funding that SGA has denied them.
The following article does not necessarily represent the views of members of The Rotunda editorial board.
Disclaimer: I am an involved student on campus and I am about to voice many frustrations and concerns that I feel a good amount of the student body also have. I am in no way implying that I am speaking for the entire student body.
Dear SGA,
Have you forgotten what the "S" stands for? Let me remind you...STUDENT! I was under the impression that your role as SGA was to serve your fellow students, listen to our concerns and help meet our needs. I have heard of numerous clubs and organizations that go in front of you to ask for funding and are denied regularly. How are you serving us? How are you supporting the interests of the entire student body by not granting these funds? Lancer Productions puts on great programs on a regular basis because they are given a large amount of money, which allow these programs to be possible. I love LP and what they do for the students but they do not get a consistent turnout to make their budget worthy of what it is.
On the other hand, in the last issue of The Rotunda there was an article that said SGA denied APO, the co-ed service fraternity, funds to attend a national conference because they have "private rituals." Really? Two thoughts about that: 1. If the president and vice president of SGA are "WORKING" on creating a new bylaw that would restrict giving funds to closed organizations with private rituals (which, the article in last week's Rotunda says that they are doing just this), and that bylaw is NOT CURRENTLY in place, how can you deny funds for that reason? That bylaw does not exist; therefore, you cannot deny funds on that basis. 2. Why does it matter if they have "private rituals" if that organization is made up of Longwood students? If they have legit reasons for needing the funding and are not asking for outrageous items, why not support them??
Rumor has it that SGA has not used all of their budget for many years in order to donate the remaining funds back to the school in order to make themselves look good. I don't know if this is just a rumor, but if it is true, clubs and organizations are not benefiting from this "gesture." Clubs and organizations that did not have to charge in the past now must charge their members fees and dues in order to make up for the funding that SGA has denied them.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 10
Jennifer
posted 12/04/08 @ 4:57 PM EST
Finally a student here at Longwood speaks up and tells the truth about this campus! It's sad that it has taken until the end of the semester to recognize how one sided the SGA has become and will only look out for it's own members and fails to recognize other organizations on this campus. (Continued…)
K
posted 12/06/08 @ 12:28 PM EST
To the student who wrote this letter, while you may be right on some accounts and I'm in no way saying that the SGA is perfect or even right but I was highly offended by your letter. (Continued…)
J
posted 12/06/08 @ 3:09 PM EST
To the above person who commented, I can see your point and understand how you can be offended by someone voicing their opinion so intensely. However, have you even considered if the person that has written this letter IS actually involved? The person was kept anonymous, and was just voicing his or her frustrations. (Continued…)
E
posted 1/06/09 @ 2:53 PM EST
Nice article. It is interesting to see that SGA has not changed over the last 15 years. While attending Longwood, I ran into issues with trying to get money from SGA. (Continued…)
k
posted 1/06/09 @ 7:55 PM EST
You should run to be on SGA this spring when elections are held. Really. You have a lot of "beef" about how the SGA operates and being on the board is a great opportunity to change it and to see why they operate in certain ways. (Continued…)
V
posted 1/09/09 @ 2:31 PM EST
I understand your view in saying that those who have an issue with SGA should run for election, the problem is that when those people who have an issue attempt to run they are usually overpowered by either Greeks or others who are friends with members of Student Government. (Continued…)
m
posted 1/11/09 @ 4:13 PM EST
i totally agree with v. SGA should give the reasons that they are denying money. many times, they just say no and its generally because one or more board members doesn't like someone who is involved in that club or organization OR the person who is asking for the money. (Continued…)
Cam Patterson
posted 1/19/09 @ 1:55 PM EST
The SGA has done some good things this semester for the Student Body. The organization has sponsored or co-sponsored a couple of different events around campus such as MLK Day, Inauguration Watch Party that is coming up in conjunction with the Student Union, a New Lancer Days Event, Tree Lighting Ceremony, and a Voter Registration Drive. (Continued…)
Trudy Berry
posted 1/21/09 @ 9:28 AM EST
Things never change, yet they do: in cycles (4-year cycles). I, too, tried to make comment at SGA meetings and ask that they post agendas and minutes to their website for all students to read, because not all students can make every SGA or SFC meeting, but would like to know what is happening and maybe make comment. (Continued…)
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