In early March, Associated Student Government (ASG) impeached Associated Student Government Vice President of Management John Woods. He was deemed to have violated ASG bylaws by holding a separate funding meeting for three student organizations. While Woods resigned, other sanctions are necessary. His salary should be penalized, members of the funding committee should be censured and the funding for a fashion show and concert should be completely revoked. ASG's funding for student organizations occurs during three regular cycles. The funding committee (consisting of the vice president of management, six senators, seven students at large and the treasurer as an ex-officio member) typically holds three meetings, one for each cycle, with all student organizations present to present their funding requests. Woods' defense that the bylaws do not have any regulations on when to hold meetings is correct. However, the bylaws do expressly mention that the meetings must "Create an equal opportunity for access to available funds for all student organizations through this process" (09.601.A.), that funding requests are reasonable and that educational events that benefit significant numbers of students take priority over any other events (09.604.C.2.). It is not equitable for Association of Jewish Students, College Republicans and the Miami Fashion and Merchandising Club to be given a separate meeting. The worst offender is the fashion club, of which Woods was a member, which was allocated $50,000 for a fashion show and concert. This included extravagant requests such as a $1,000 caterer. The president of the club, Tamika Nunley, is quoted as saying that her compromise is to hold the concert. She seems to have her priorities backwards. The concert, which has zero educational value, should be stripped out of the funding request. It is unfortunate that ASG gave in to her insulting demands. The other two programs at least hold intellectual value for students and are more deserving of funding than the fashion show. What is unfortunate is that the full granting of their funding requests will cause a cutback in funds given out to other student organizations. It does not seem fair that a few organizations reap all the benefits. ASG should undergo serious contemplation of its own internal dealings. It is unclear why the other members of the funding committee who allowed this extra meeting to take place and who approved generous funding requests are not being censured. They were complicit with Woods in this debacle and should also be punished. ASG officers, who are paid by the university to do their jobs, should get their act together to monitor funding requests and other ASG activities proactively.
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