The new proposed JFC policy, which would allow extra funding for collaborative-effort events between student organizations, is a welcome change which should prove to be highly beneficial. Often times, Tech students and organizations isolate themselves from the rest of the Tech community. Incentivizing student organizations to work together should help build bridges between students. This new policy could also help create larger events that will appeal and attract more of the Tech community, enhancing the overall social dynamic of campus.
But there should be caveats in this policy. Some of these bills could turn into requests for large sums of money which will significantly cut into the SGA budget, the life blood for many student organizations. It must be made clear that events funded in this manner are not everyday events but special events. SGA must also perform due diligence to ensure that attendance requirements for these events are met and that true collaboration actually takes place. Caps should be placed so a group of organizations do not drain the entire budget with a single event. SGA must also make sure that this policy is well advertised and should take the time to clearly express the change for student organizations. Once the system has had time to mature, most of the bills should be discussed during budget season so they can be properly evaluated.
While the change to JFC policy is laudable, SGA should be careful not to use changes in JFC policy to push agendas on student organizations. The policy should be used as unbiased guidelines for SGA on how to properly fund organizations, not a constrictive device used to try to conform student organizations into a mold that SGA desires. While SGA controls the money, student organizations should enjoy the freedom to develop and function as they wish.