EDITORIAL: Misuse and Abuse

The Student Activities CouncilThe Student Activities Councilshould withdraw funding from theThe Student Activities Councilshould withdraw funding from theInternational Affairs AssociationThe Student Activities Councilshould withdraw funding from theInternational Affairs Associationafter discovering blatant misuseThe Student Activities Councilshould withdraw funding from theInternational Affairs Associationafter discovering blatant misuseof SAC money.The Student Activities Councilshould withdraw funding from theInternational Affairs Associationafter discovering blatant misuseof SAC money.____________________________________ On Friday, the result of the audit revealed that the group misused $1,500 in SAC funding in seven separate instances of abuse. One charge contends that when members travelled to conferences, they often rented more hotel rooms than necessary, sometimes in luxurious hotels. Also, the group ran up $300 for transportation at a conference in the midwest, although the conference was held at a hotel at the airport. The extent of the IAA's abuse is sickening and has sent a clear message to SAC: We will use students' money for whatever we want. And instead of admitting its mistakes, the IAA played politics, shifting attention away from the violations by stirring up constitutional debate and taking pot shots at UA members. The IAA has shown some nerve by misusing student dollars and then playing the role of the victim to prevent any inquiry into its spending patterns. Do IAA's leaders believe that it is acceptable to use students' tuition money to pay for extravagant hotels and late night joy rides? Compounding the group's obvious ethical disregard, the IAA reportedly enjoys an $80,000 profit. With that much money, it is mystifying that an affluent group would misuse University funds when it has its own money to spend. Based on the abuse revealed by a thorough audit, and the less than forthcoming attitude of IAA leaders, we recommend that SAC withdraw any funding it currently gives to the IAA. The IAA has clearly demonstrated that it cannot be trusted with students' money and that it has little appreciation for the financial support that SAC offers. Withdrawing SAC funding will make it clear that if the IAA wants to party during what are supposed to be business trips, then it should frivolously spend IAA funds, not scarce University dollars.