To the Editor:
It was with dismay that I learned about Student Assembly's recent decision to fund the 2007 Native American Pow-Wow ("Assembly delays reform move, funds pow-wow," Jan. 31). Though in a better world the following disclaimer wouldn't be necessary, I have many friends in the Native American community and think the Pow-Wow is a great event. But, the problem is with the Assembly. A few years back, the Assembly adopted a policy on non-cosponsorship for campus events. The Assembly is not a funding organization. There already exists Programming Board, the Committee on Student Organizations, numerous departments and other offices on campus that serve to fund student events.
Making the Assembly another funding body diminishes its focus on student advocacy and services, complicates the process for event organizers (should they really be expected to go to 4 separate bodies for money?) and strains the agenda of the Assembly. Funding the Pow-Wow encourages every possible campus group to come to the Assembly and ask for money. Which groups do you give money to and which do you deny? With a limited budget, the Assembly is in for some very tough decisions.
