Spring Break
SAFAC: Where does our money go?
James Breen
Issue date: 5/16/08 Section: Ed-Op
I understand it would be an immature theory for me to think that we should all receive equal funding. For the future, I would love to see students be able to select on DrexelOne where they want their student activity fees to be used. I firmly believe that if a student is interested in joining a club or organization, there are ways to fund your hobbies. If we are passionate about something, why shouldn't we be allowed to use our funds in support of ourselves?
This year, I paid $250 in student activity fees and a whopping $1,300 in a "General University Fee."
About $2 directly from my tuition bill will go to the Drexel Equestrians, which I will never watch, read about, hear about or even have the pleasure of meeting a member. I'd love to be invited to a competition or show.
Student organization allocations should be based upon the number of members, the benefit to the entire student population, and nothing more.
I very much support the allocations to CAB, the Lexerd and DUST, as they are organizations that almost every student will benefit from, but has this activity fee gotten out of control?
It would be great if we were given the option to select what our fees support. For example, half of our fees could be non-discretionary and the other half discretionary, which SAFAC could use as they please. Organizations such as CAB, the Lexerd and DUST would be deemed non-discretionary and would receive a percentage of this money because of the work they do for the entire student body.
Best of luck to all the student organizations who will be attempting the appeals process - see you there!
James Breen is a junior majoring in business administration. He can be reached at ed-op@thetriangle.org.
This year, I paid $250 in student activity fees and a whopping $1,300 in a "General University Fee."
About $2 directly from my tuition bill will go to the Drexel Equestrians, which I will never watch, read about, hear about or even have the pleasure of meeting a member. I'd love to be invited to a competition or show.
Student organization allocations should be based upon the number of members, the benefit to the entire student population, and nothing more.
I very much support the allocations to CAB, the Lexerd and DUST, as they are organizations that almost every student will benefit from, but has this activity fee gotten out of control?
It would be great if we were given the option to select what our fees support. For example, half of our fees could be non-discretionary and the other half discretionary, which SAFAC could use as they please. Organizations such as CAB, the Lexerd and DUST would be deemed non-discretionary and would receive a percentage of this money because of the work they do for the entire student body.
Best of luck to all the student organizations who will be attempting the appeals process - see you there!
James Breen is a junior majoring in business administration. He can be reached at ed-op@thetriangle.org.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Luke
posted 5/16/08 @ 12:07 PM EST
Everyone fills out the same application and funds are distributed based on necessity.
So let's the equestrian team told SAFAC that they need $50,000, and received $32,000, However, if the Lexerd put in that they need $5000 and received $2000, then the ratio of requested:allotted is pretty much the same. (Continued…)
Jim
posted 5/16/08 @ 2:22 PM EST
I actually gave this article a lot of thought. We're not living like communist, where all money should be split according to percentages.
I'm sure when lobbying for money from the University; a department doesn't apply for $35 Million dollars, knowing that they'll get 50% of this. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 5/16/08 @ 2:41 PM EST
I just feel that it is kind of rediculous that 125 dollars of every student paying tiwission is going to clubs like the Drexel Equestrian club. Those clubs have not held one event that has been open to the community of Drexel. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 5/16/08 @ 4:54 PM EST
My bad $150 dollars go to this funding.
Rob
posted 5/17/08 @ 9:15 AM EST
This article perfectly captures the problem with the SAFAC allocation: necessity of cost is taken into account more than the number of students served at the University. (Continued…)
Chris
posted 5/17/08 @ 2:41 PM EST
Jim is brilliant!
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