Exercising the right
THE JAMBAR EDITORIAL BOARD
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Opinion
We applaud everyone who exercises their First Amendment rights, and there is no exception for the Facebook groups based on the student opinions of the SGA proposed student tax.
As of Wednesday, there are two Facebook groups: "Students Against Student Tax Proposed by the SGA" and its opposite, "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the SGA Student Fee," with 61 members and 55 members respectively. The only problem with the numbers, though, is that a majority of students are in both groups, and those who overlap are some members of SGA or SGA President Zach Brown's fraternity brothers coming to his rescue when he is the topic of discussion.
To say that the membership of either group adequately represents the group initiative is certainly a stretch of the truth. Regardless, the creators of the group have at least started a forum for discussion on something that students need to be aware of.
The posts or comments in the Facebook group might be the only time the SGA would be able to receive feedback about how students not involved in SGA really feel about the proposal, especially if it passes at the next SGA meeting. The proposal would then move to the board of trustees for approval.
In an interview with The Vindicator, Scott Schulick, chairman of the YSU Board of Trustees, said if the students are in favor of the tax, then the board of trustees would not likely stand in the students' way to allow it to happen. He also said, though, that it's up to SGA to sell the idea to the students.
It's up to the students to stand in SGA's way of passing a tax without first considering the student opinion.
As of Wednesday, there are two Facebook groups: "Students Against Student Tax Proposed by the SGA" and its opposite, "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the SGA Student Fee," with 61 members and 55 members respectively. The only problem with the numbers, though, is that a majority of students are in both groups, and those who overlap are some members of SGA or SGA President Zach Brown's fraternity brothers coming to his rescue when he is the topic of discussion.
To say that the membership of either group adequately represents the group initiative is certainly a stretch of the truth. Regardless, the creators of the group have at least started a forum for discussion on something that students need to be aware of.
The posts or comments in the Facebook group might be the only time the SGA would be able to receive feedback about how students not involved in SGA really feel about the proposal, especially if it passes at the next SGA meeting. The proposal would then move to the board of trustees for approval.
In an interview with The Vindicator, Scott Schulick, chairman of the YSU Board of Trustees, said if the students are in favor of the tax, then the board of trustees would not likely stand in the students' way to allow it to happen. He also said, though, that it's up to SGA to sell the idea to the students.
It's up to the students to stand in SGA's way of passing a tax without first considering the student opinion.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
David Spatholt
posted 11/19/09 @ 4:00 PM EST
Fee n. "a fixed charge for a privilege or for professional services" vs. Tax n. "A charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government" So. (Continued…)
Missy
posted 11/19/09 @ 6:51 PM EST
The use of "fee" or "tax" is in the eye of the person being charged. To me, this is a tax. I'm a single mom going to school with a full-time job. I will not use this "tax. (Continued…)
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