The undergraduate government is set to vote on a significant
change to their bylaws at its meeting tonight ““ a change that
would extend the council’s funding to all student groups.
Under its current bylaws, the Undergraduate Students Association
Council can only fund student groups that it officially recognizes.
Officially recognized groups are groups registered with the Center
for Student Programming and those that are not politically or
religiously oriented.
But if USAC approves President David Dahle’s proposed
changes, all groups ““ including independent groups, a CSP
term that describes political or religion-based groups ““
could apply for council funding.
USAC currently has the resources to fund independent groups,
Dahle said. With the influx of money USAC received this year from a
referendum passed in October, the surplus fund will likely
increase, he added.
Budget Review Director Justin Levi said he expected the surplus
to be higher than last year’s $130,000.
Dahle also said that the current bylaws contradict the U.S.
Supreme Court’s ruling in Southworth v. University of
Wisconsin. The Court ruled that the university could not give or
deny funding to organizations based solely on their viewpoint.
In funding an independent group, USAC would not be funding a
group’s ideology or mission, Dahle said. He added that USAC
is in danger of potential lawsuits from independent groups.
Most councilmembers agreed with Dahle’s proposition.
“It is one of the most positive things that can happen on
USAC all year,” said General Representative Adam Harmetz.
It has tremendous educational value, Harmetz said.
But some had concerns about reconciling the amendment changes
with First Amendment provisions.
The separation of church and state was a fundamental established
by the founding fathers, said Berky Nelson, USAC administrator and
CSP director.
Council needs to proceed with caution and be more cognizant of
who gets appointed to the funding boards, Nelson said.
But Harmetz argued that all groups would still undergo strict
scrutiny. It’s just that those groups should have the
opportunity to be scrutinized, he said.
Other councilmembers said the timing for the change is
premature.
When the UC Office of the President revises its funding
guidelines, said External Vice President Chris Neal, next
year’s council will have to amend its bylaws again.
Neal added that the proposition seems political, referring to
Dahle making his recommendation just as the spring election
campaigns begin.
Dahle argued that it would still be beneficial to independent
groups.
Independent groups have mixed reactions on whether or not they
should receive USAC funding.
“It has been very difficult in the past to get funding as
a religious group,” said Cindy Yoshitomi, a campus minister
at the University Catholic Center. “It is a real good step in
the right direction.”
But other groups questioned whether student fees should go to
political or religious organizations.
Though the funds will be useful to her club, President of the
Bruin Democrats Kristina Meshelski said students might feel
uncomfortable with their fees going to religious and political
groups.
USAC meets tonight at 7 p.m. in Kerckhoff 417.