Rodin to review funding cuts to 'Red and Blue'

U. to examine SAC conduct Both University officials and student leaders responded to the Student Activities Council's controversial vote Monday night to permanently revoke The Red and Blue's full membership status yesterday. University President Judith Rodin issued a statement on the debate, calling for a review of the guidelines and the methods by which SAC funds student groups. And several student leaders also said the denial of funds for The Red and Blue made them wonder whether SAC is competent. In her statement, Rodin said the University's position on the current controversy is that "funding decisions cannot be based purely upon the content of a student group's speech." At the request of Rodin and Provost Stanley Chodorow, Vice Provost for University Life Valerie Swain-Cade McCoullum has begun reviewing the procedures used for funding campus organizations, the statement continues. The review focuses on the exact criteria SAC uses to decide a group's eligibility for funds. Rodin said she has asked McCoullum to work with SAC to re-interpret and illuminate the section of the SAC bylaws that prohibits the funding of groups whose program is "designed to support or oppose a particular political ideology." This section has been used to justify the rescinding of The Red and Blue's full membership status on the grounds that the magazine has a conservative agenda, and therefore ought not to be funded. The Red and Blue Editor-in-Chief Christopher Robbins, a College junior, said the publication's staff was heartened by Rodin's statement. "We are very glad President Rodin has begun to see the injustice that has been done to The Red and Blue and to free speech on campus," he said. "We are confident that she will move for an equitable solution which will guarantee free speech for everyone and will also address the damage that has been done to our publication." McCoullum, SAC Steering Committee Chairperson Richard Chow, a Wharton senior and UA Chairperson Dan Debicella, a Wharton junior, will meet this afternoon to discuss the funding process and the SAC bylaws, Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta said. Debicella, whose role as UA chairperson makes him an ex officio member of SAC Steering, said the UA would most likely wait for SAC to act before the body stepped into the situation. "Hopefully, SAC can deal with this in and of themselves, without UA intervention," he said. Debicella discounted rumors that the UA might refuse to fund SAC at the UA budget meeting, to be held on March 19, until SAC clarifies its funding criteria. "The UA cannot not fund SAC," he said. "We could temporarily withhold funding, and the money would be put in escrow. But it's not going to come to that." Chow, speaking on behalf of SAC Steering, said the definition of "political" is vague, but that an overly strict interpretation would lead to a further breakdown of the process. "We need a certain flexibility," he said. "In making decisions, we go through our own gut-checks to see whether this group ought to be recognized or receiving funding." SAC Finance Committee Chairperson David Shapiro, a College and Wharton sophomore, said on behalf of SAC Finance that the committee would resist any attempt by the administration to alter the current funding process or The Red and Blue's recognition status. "It's the student activity fee," he said. "The ultimate funding decision should rest with students." Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer Jorie Green contributed to this article.