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Big Spenders

The Chinese Students and Scholars Association makes a mockery of student funds... again.

By Pete R. Hunt

Incidental fees, which every student pays as part of his or her tuition, are a regulated way for student groups to gain funding. The Clark Document and the ASUO Constitution lay out strict guidelines for UO student group use of these allocated fees. Every student group has a set of bylaws that establish its mission statement, which in the case of most cultural groups is to "enhance the academic and cultural life of (insert group here)." Judging from the purchase orders of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, their mission statement must read like a summer camp agenda. In the past year the Chinese Students and Scholars Association has purchased expensive camping gear, basketball jerseys, CDs, and Fred Meyer Gift Certificates, and the student body footed the bill.

The Chinese Students and Scholars Association has already come under fire this year by the Program Finance Committee. In October, the group went before the Student Senate to ask for a budget increase because an error in the accounting for 1999-2000 left this year's group believing they had $400 more than they did. When the error was discovered, the group realized it wouldn't have enough money to cover some of the events it had planned. As a result, the CSSA went to the Senate asking for $400 from surplus. The plan ran into a hurdle when it was it was revealed that last year's CSSA officers had spent the missing $400 on gift certificates from Fred Meyers, some of which went directly to group members.

The Student Senate denied the group the budget increase partially because CSSA had not yet tried fund-raising as an alternative source of money, something that the Senate generally asks of programs under its jurisdiction. Furthermore, they reasoned it inappropriate to give gift certificates to its own members. However, some members of the Senate didn't want to hold the current members of the CSSA accountable for the previous administration's mistakes.

"I think that the group members have been here long enough to understand this is an unacceptable practice," Senate Member Serene Khader said.

Five months later, Khader's words ring hollow. Once again evidence of the CSSA negligently using student fees for inappropriate purchases has surfaced. Many of these purchases end up hanging in closets and collecting dust in garages. Since the CSSA has no main office on campus, materials purchased for events and fundraisers often end up going home with officers.

"We've lost stuff before," says CSSA Finance Coordinator Vivian Ding. "It's been a problem with us."

One notable mishap occurred at the UO Bookstore in June of 2000. The CSSA spent funds there towards gearing the group up for a basketball game against a group from Oregon State University. Nine players were decked out in expensive UO T-shirts, and given UO mugs and key chains. When the dust settled, CSSA member Ming Yuan signed a purchase order for $180 worth of apparel and various kitschy souvenirs that literally left on the players' backs. Ding said plans for further basketball games have been put under more scrutiny, but the gear remains missing in action.

Another shady incident occurred when the CSSA decided to take a camping trip in August of 1999. Three four-person tents and three flashlights were bought at Bi-Mart at a grand total of $180. Right now, the tents and flashlights sit in various CSSA member's homes. "We're looking for a place to store those," said Ding.

As another example, last year the CSSA used $32.98 to purchases two audio CDs for the senior send-off party of 2000. Both of the CDs remain in personal possession.

Ding cited lack of storage space as being one of the main problems in keeping track of purchases. "We initially tried to catalog the items. Instead, now we are seeking a storage area within the EMU, upon PFC member's recommendation at a budget hearing. We intend to carry it out without compromise," said Ding.

Storage whereabouts aside, do the previously mentioned items really fit in with the CSSA's mission statement, to provide service and help to Chinese students and scholars at the University of Oregon? Should student fees really be used to finance pick-up basketball games and campfire sing-a-longs?

Ding agreed that bookstore souvenirs are a poor use of student fees. Giving away $180 worth of UO gear looks particularly fraudulent considering their recent gift certificate fiasco. She also said that the camping gear could probably have been paid for with alternate resources.

Ding said that the major reason for the poor use of student fees is the negligence of certain officers and poor decision-making and delegation within the organization. She also added that most of their inappropriate fund usage has resulted in corresponding penalties on their 2000-01 and 2001-02 budgets. In response to these problems, the CSSA is restructuring their finances.

What is the University of Oregon doing about this problem? Ding believes that additional ASUO Controller office regulations are being implemented to target said neglect.

If the CSSA can get away with blowing hundreds of dollars on unregulated purchases, who's to say how many other student groups are also negligently using funds. The bylaws of cultural groups like the CSSA are vague enough to allow for any purchase to slip under the title of "student enhancement." If the Students for Sado-Masochism are planning any camping trips, I hope they'll let me know ahead of time so I can pack appropriately.

Pete R. Hunt, a junior majoring in Journalism, is a staff writer for the Oregon Commentator