Student Gov't Proposes Revision
Of Constitution's Article XVIII
By W. Kw
and The AWN
As a result of operational inconsist- ,
encies and personality conflicts. the
student government has proposed an
amendment to Article XVM of the
constitution.
Article XVIII, as it now stands, says
that any monies spent by the student
government in excess of $25 must be
reviewed by the finance committee and
approved by two-thirds of the Senate.
Reasons for the change were due to
disagreement between some organiza
tions, and the SGA, over methods
presently employed by the SGA
Treasurer when deciding how to
dispense funds to those organizations.
In a strongly worded statement,
distributed at the SGA meeting by
Sheldon Munchus, president of BSU.
Munchus expressed disappointment and
dissatisfaction with student government
operations and leadership. The state
ment went on to say that, "The SGA was
hypocritical, contradictory as well as
being not very functional."
The conflict arose when the BSU
requisitioned money for gifts to its
graduating members. Further problems
developed "when Beth Kopas, the SGA
Treasurer, told the BSU they must
submit a constitution in order to obtain
funds for the upcoming Black Arts and
Science Festival, according to Munchus's
statement
In order to give the White House that down-home look, the first family has added this suite of rooms. As the last board
was thrown in place. Jimmie yelled, "Hallelujah, the South has Risen!"
Apparently this information contra
dicted Provost McDermott and Dr.
South, who informed BSU last spring
that they should submit a separate
budget for the BASF. Munchue also
charged that Kopas was negligent in her
duties and abrasive in her manner.
Similar charges of personal bias
against Kopas were filed by several
other organizations, according to Ray
Martin, SGA Vice-President, although
after investigating this allegation we
were unable to substantiate its validity.
After interviewing several SGA
Senators and other parties involved, the
general consensus was that one problem
was a personality conflict between the
BSU President and the SGA Treasurer.
Also the lack of Specific guidelines for
the treasurer's job, and lack of
responsibility on the part . of SGA to After the committee compiles its
dearly communicate its budget recom- information, and submits the revision of
mendations to the treasurer, were cited Article XVIII to the SGA, a general
as problems. - election will be held. According to
Kopas said, she should have the right Eshbach and Martin if the amendment is
to bring any questionable spending by an passed the new law will take effect
organization to the SGA. Kopas claimed immediately. This would mean budgets
she had done this Mit, to no avail, for the _ that've already been allocated will be
SGA made no response. "Cliff hasn't effected. However, Dr. South said, this
been involved this semester, the only is not necessarily the case. Further
information he gets is from Ray Martin," investigation will be required to see if
she said. the amendment will be retro-active.
Cliff Rabble'', President of SGA, The general election on this question
said, his internship has presented no will "hopefully" take place by the end of
prpblems with his involvement in SGA. February, according to Ray Martin.
said, no one has mention,-
to me about my ability to govern
effectively.
In order to alleviate these
misunderstandings, Eshbach appointed
a committee to clarify Article XVIII.
The committee consists of: Ray Martin,
chairman, senators Diane Lewis and
Lenny Klonitsko, Treasurer Beth Kopas,
.and BSU President Sheldon Munchus.
Suggestions for revision of this
article, made by those interviewed,
ranged from total control by an
organization of its expenditures, to tight
guidelines, thereby forcing organizations
to itemize spending.
All agreed that the treasurer's job
should be better defined so the treasurer
has a clear indication of what his or her
duties are, and to alleviate any possible
personality conflicts in the future.
February
By Marian Semi
February is Black History Month,
however, programs related to Black
history began back in January.
The Cultural Committee of Capitol
Campus received a grant from the
National Endowment for the Arts to
present a program "Black Heritage in
American Music." This program began
January 7, and will continue until April
sth, according to Roberta McLeod,
coordinator of, student activities. Rs.
McLeod was also the person who wrote
the proposal for obtaining the grant.
"The true American music is jazz, it
is a music all of its own," said Ms.
McLeod. The program will trace the
roots of jazz, from Africa to
contemporary times.
This will be the first year Black
History Month will be celebrated at
Capitol, according to Ms. McLeod.
"Black Orpheus", a film done in Brazil
during Carnival, will kick off Black
History Month.
On Thursday February Bth, Dr.
Vernal G. Cave will discuss his
experience of exposing doctors who gave
syphilis to 200 black men in Tuskegee,
Alabatha. No treatment was given to the
men after they contracted the disease.
The Wiseman Film Series will be
scheduled during the month and a
lecture on "Law and Order" will be given
by Frederick Wiseman himself.
"Watermelon Man", a film featuring
Godfrey Cambridge, will be shown
February 23rd in memory of Cambridge's
death last year.
"There is so much going on at this
campus if people would only take time to
read and find out," said Ms. McLeod.
"We usually don't charge for any of our
events, but if we do, the charge is so
minimal for the benefits received, that it
is really worthwhile."
The Shadow
Knows
By Robert L. Fisher Jr.
At exactly 7:27 a.m. yesterday, King
Phillip of Punxsutawney emerged from
his warm burrow, glanced at his shadow
on the frozen turf, and scurried back to
the comfort of his home, thus heralding
the unwelcomed continuation of this
blustery winter weather for at least six
more weeks, and destroying any hopes
for relief from the present natural gas
shortage.
Weekend
Weather
The weather outlook for Eastern
Pennsylvania from Friday through
Sunday will be: partly cloudy and cold
through the period with a chance of snow
flurries each day. Morning lows will be in
the teens to low 20's, and afternoon
highs will range from the mid 20's to the
mid's 30's.
I=o3l