MSA candidates examine group funding

By Lisa Koivu

Daily Staff Reporter

The future of funding for student groups on campus could be completely altered if the U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of Scott Southworth in the case of The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin v. Scott Southworth.

Southworth filed a lawsuit against Wisconsin in 1996, arguing that it is unconstitutional for students to fund groups they ideologically oppose through student fees. The case reached the Supreme Court last November and is now awaiting a final opinion.

Many candidates running for representative positions on the Michigan Student Assembly are worried about the effect a ruling in favor of Southworth could have on the University of Michigan.

University students pay $5.69 per semester toward student group funding. The money is disbursed by MSA's Budget Priorities Committee, which reviews applications and allots funds to groups having an impact on the University.

Dan Barrera, an LSA freshman running as an independent candidate, said limiting student fees would be detrimental to a diverse university atmosphere.

"Student fees are necessary. Many student groups can't survive without it. Just because a group isn't popular doesn't mean they shouldn't exist," Barrera said.

Some students, such as Jessica Cash, an LSA freshman running for a seat on the assembly with the Wolverine Party, said the ruling could have a damaging effect on the University.

"I believe this would seriously thwart the exchange of ideas on campus. Although there are several groups that I personally support and a few that I adamantly oppose, an exchange of ideas is always positive," Cash said.

Aimee Bingham, an LSA junior running with the Defend Affirmative Action Party, said she thinks the case is understandable but also ridiculous.

"Legally, I think Southworth probably has some standing. Instinctively I think the case is a mountain out of a molehill," Bingham said in a written response.

"I certainly favor an individual's autonomy. The problem is do I think this really has a negative impact on ones' autonomy, no," she added.

MSA President Bram Elias said the University has little to worry about, regardless of the ruling.

"Whomever becomes the next president will step into a well-established infrastructure handling the case," Elias said.

"We've worked with people in the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of the General Counsel to make sure MSA will have ample bureaucratic and legal support no matter what happens," he added.

Interim Vice President for Student Affairs E. Royster Harper said the last she had heard about plans at the University in case of an emergency is "Glen (Roe) and I were talking about getting a group together to talk about a contingency plan."

Roe, chairman of the Budget Priorities Committee and Blue Party candidate for president, said he isn't anticipating any problems.

"We are waiting on a ruling to be able to know the situation the University is in regarding student group funding. If there is a problem affecting funding, we have looked at possible solutions on a preliminary basis," Roe said.

Tu-Anh Tran, an LSA sophomore running with the All Peoples' Party, said that although students don't directly allocate money to student groups, they have a say in the process leading to the disbursement.

"Technically, students are already involved in the process of allocating funds to student groups, even if it is indirectly. They vote on the candidates whom they want to represent them. These representatives, in turn, play a role in deciding how much money to give to student groups that apply for funding," Tran said in a written statement.