[2631] in Discussion of MIT-community interests
Re: [Mit-talk] Upcoming UA Issue - Student Group Property Ownership
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Alexander J Werbos)
Tue Oct 17 11:27:49 2006
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 11:27:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: Alexander J Werbos <awerbos@mit.edu>
To: Jacob Faber <jacob.faber@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <Pine.LNX.4.62L.0610171115420.23408@dodecahedron.mit.edu>
Cc: mit-talk@mit.edu
Errors-To: mit-talk-bounces@mit.edu
Just to briefly add, I would ask that the UA Facilitators make judgment
based on three criteria:
1) The resource being discussed is not being used to its fullest
efficiency by the group currently controlling it
2) Another group can demonstrate a compelling use for this resource
3) The reallocation of the resource will not seriously impact the group
currently controlling it
-Alex
On Tue, 17 Oct 2006, Alexander J Werbos wrote:
> Just a brief word about how I envision all this happening:
>
> I see the creation of a process whereby one or several student groups can
> petition the UA for the reallocation of materiel being used by another
> student group. They would have a joint meeting with one or more UA
> Facilitators, and make their case. The Facilitators would then propose a
> course of action to the Senate, which would include the possibility or
> reallocating the materiel in question.
>
> This ensures:
>
> 1) The resource might actually be used more efficiently, and this is
> causing people concern. Since a student group must take the initiative to make its
> case to the UA, somebody has to really think they're being mistreated.
>
> 2) That the UA doesn't go nosing where it doesn't belong. Requiring a
> student group to initiate the process means that someone has to need
> something. It won't just be the UA messing with groups that anger it
> (which I don't think would happen anyway, but some people seem to be
> concerned about that).
>
> -Alex
>
> On Tue, 17 Oct 2006, Jacob Faber wrote:
>
>> Yes, I like "ultiamtely the institute purchases it" better, but money
>> wasted is money wasted. I also agree that past funding should be
>> grandfathered.
>>
>> The question is really about how the UA enforces the "conditions" we
>> agree they should attach to funding. While it can be a pain to get
>> things done at times, there needs to be some accountability - of the
>> student group and of the UA.
>>
>> On 10/17/06, John Hawkinson <jhawk@mit.edu> wrote:
>>> Jacob Faber <jacob.faber@gmail.com> wrote on Tue, 17 Oct 2006
>>> at 10:33:55 -0400 in <e9cc53d60610170733ie68712do6948f43607c4b77c@mail.gmail.com>:
>>>
>>>> Alex brings up good points. It's really about accountability. I was
>>>> never on finboard, but anecdotally, I can say there is misuse of
>>>> funds. Groups buy the same things year in and year out, and it's a
>>>> waste of money. Also, inventory "disappears". It might be a pain,
>>>> but the UA should have better records of group spending and inventory
>>>> because ultimately, it's the UA who purchases it.
>>>
>>> The question of student group property is a complex one, but
>>> certainly it is not "ultimately the UA who purchases it."
>>>
>>> Many student groups purchase property with non-UA (and non-GSC) funds.
>>> And *most* student groups do so with a combination (sorting that out
>>> would be near-impossible).
>>>
>>> On some level, it may be "ultimately the Institute who purchases it."
>>>
>>> I strongly agree with Adam, though. The UA can attach conditions to
>>> money in the future (I think this is probably bad policy, but is
>>> at least reasoanble), but to do so to monies issued in the past
>>> is grossly insulting.
>>>
>>> There is already enough regluation, and it is hard enough for student
>>> groups to get stuff done. Adding even more would be painful.
>>>
>>> --jhawk
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Jacob W. Faber
>> Phone: 857.928.2838
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