EDITORIAL: Last and only bang for the UA

Procuring funds for IFC events has always been a top issue for this year's mostly Greek body. In its most concrete action within the past year, the student government body allocated $30,000 of its budget Sunday night to cover InterFraternity Council events. And in doing so, the Greeks within its ranks were in essence able to make good on their commitment to procure funds for fraternity parties. The money -- earmarked for events such as barbecues, workshops and block parties -- allegedly cannot be used toward alcohol since the UA would be held liable for any resulting injuries. But who has ever attended a "dry" block party? Fraternities are likely to work their way around that loophole just as the UA was able to put the IFC money into a discretionary fund, thus avoiding a constitutional clause stipulating that only a "work group, committee or branch of student government" can receive direct funding. If you are uncomfortable with the results of having a predominantly Greek "representative body," keep that in mind when you cast your ballot in the UA election later this month. Conversely, if you are happy that students finally came together on an issue, backing another Greek slate might not be a bad idea. After all, 30 percent of Penn students belong to a Greek organization, and far more regularly attend IFC social events. Funding for these events was the dominant issue in the UA election last March. After the administration cracked down on illegal door charging, the IFC and Panhellenic Council e-mailed their member chapters, urging them to vote for Greek candidates expressly to secure funds for the IFC. "This is our best opportunity to receive party funding," then-IFC President Matt Baker wrote in the e-mail. "So get out there and vote." Twenty percent of eligible voters turned out to cast ballots, and, in an election "coup," 20 Greek affiliates won seats on the 33-member body. In the process, however, the UA lost credibility with the administration. Over the past year, the body has unnecessarily attached a Greek slant onto many issues. As a result, it weakened otherwise potentially workable proposals. For instance, a resolution to extend Spectaguard hours was crippled when UA members linked it to keeping parties open an additional hour. In order for the next UA to effectively provide a bridge between the general student body and the administration, it must work to regain this lost stature. We urge all eligible students to vote in the UA election later this month. And when doing so, consider the events that followed last year's election.