Originally published April 12, 2001
by Adam Zurn

"This is how they do it at other universities." This is not always a good reason to do something.

Why? Because some universities do things wrong, case in point, Bob Jones University where interracial dating is prohibited. Why anyone would consider this a good idea is beyond us. This is the new millennium. A university should choose to do something because it's right and in the best interest of their students.

Currently, six campus organization leaders receive a stipend of $200 a year. Those groups are Black Student Union (BSU), The Snapper, Student Senate, "The Touchstone,"
University Activity Board (UAB), and WIXQ.

For many of these clubs, presidents fill their position as if it were a full time job, earning a wage of approximately four cents an hour. Student Senate has recently discussed the possibility of either increasing the stipend to more student groups or increasing the amount these club presidents receive.

We suggest­no we urge-that the aforementioned six organizations receive a larger stipend, which hasn't been increased since the mid-1980s. Talk about losing pace with inflation. We would like to see the new stipend to be a tuition waiver.

Again, why? Let us answer that question with a question.
u Do you want improved campus activities?
u Do you want a more dynamic, influential Student Senate?
u Do you want a hard-hitting, more in-depth student newspaper?
u Do you want a higher quality yearbook?
u Do you want a more superior radio station?

If you answered yes to these questions, then the reason for an increased stipend becomes obvious. When leaders of these influential organizations have to have a part time job to help pay for school and rent then they can't focus 100 percent on their club and making it the best it can be. We want our Student Senate president focusing entirely on Senate business and not his or her job at the QuickieMart.

Some people boast concern that students might take these positions solely for the tuition wavier. This is doubtful. Even after $2,000 these are still difficult, time-consuming and thankless jobs.

Not one day goes by that these people aren't hassled, hounded, and have their names burned in effigy. In addition to these being difficult jobs, people can't just walk in off the street and get this money. In all these organizations, there lies an election process that will weed out unsuitable and unqualified people from these offices.

The reason for providing a stipend isn't so much because these people put a lot of hours in. Most club presidents do that. The ruler should be how much these groups provide selflessly for the rest of campus.

We aren't urging this change because we're greedy. In fact, a majority of the people who would be eligible for this money now will not be in those eligible positions next semester. We are urging this change because we strongly believe that a tuition waiver would lead directly to stronger, higher quality campus clubs.

Not to mention, this would be a just reward for all the tireless effort these six-club president contribute to this campus