I sat through my first SAC meeting tonight and cannot comprehend the extent to which they micromanage the activity of clubs. No wonder why so many club presidents and treasurers are calling for reform. Tonight, they spent a substantial amount of time debating the price of a tablecloth!
But beyond the senseless bureaucracy lies another problem: the Commission kicks everyone out before they take a vote (a vote on how to spend OUR money), despite the fact that their Constitution forbids it. So when the board asked everyone to leave, I refused. I tried to explain to the board that I would not be complicit in they way they continually disregard the will of the students (whom they serve) and so arrogantly dismiss public opinion.
After a bitter exchange (especially from the Chair, whose authority is just as legitimate as their rules of procedure) they decided the best thing to do was not to acknowledge that they have been violating their Constitution and the student trust, but to amend their rules on the spot in order to force me out of the room.
Way to go SAC. Amid incessant calls for reform, you give the students another slap across the face.
Why should the votes be public, you ask? First and foremost their Constitution requires(d) it. Secondly, how are the students expected to hold these public officials accountable if we do not know their voting record? Some commissioners complained they'd feel pressured or even be harassed in public. It seems to me if you are scared of accountability, you shouldn't be in charge of $200,000 worth of students' funds.
Lord knows I didn't make any friends tonight for doing my job (which, oddly enough, is like each SAC Commissioners: representing the students).
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