Student Senate has the power to make or break a student organization by making the final decision on budget allocations.
By refusing to fund WUEC, the campus radio station, Senate determined the future is bleak for the station.
Every student organization deserves a chance, but some are treated unfairly. If a group is not following exact procedures, then funding is cut off.
Student Senate says it aims to serve the students interests fairly. But in a situation where a student, station manager Becky Bourne, is standing in front of them representing a student organization and asking for help to grow, Senate denied her.
WUEC is trying to get back on its feet, but without funding and help from the communication and journalism department, no improvements can be made. One student is attempting to do the work of many, and she should be commended for that – but she can not do it alone.
The adviser of WUEC should have a hand in the process, but hasn’t done anything to push the station forward. The CJ department should also recognize this problem because it reflects poorly on it. Signs of a strong department are strong organizations that relate to the program. A dying station is evidence of a struggling department.
A student radio station is a good learning tool, and without hands-on experience the department is not giving students all the opportunities they deserve.
If Student Senate has a problem with the station’s lack of organization and doesn’t want to give it a chance, it should at least give constructive criticism on how to fix the flaws.
Between Student Senate and the CJ department, at least one of them should have seen the value in WUEC and taken initiative to help it.