November 29, 2007 Meeting--Sports Club Issues On The Horizon

1. Student Organization Categories

Chris Najmi and David Hoffman reported that they had met last week and sorted all of the recognized student organizations into the new scheme of categories created by the Committee at its previous meeting. The Committee reviewed the list, made a few corrections, and approved sending it out to all student organizations for their review. Student organizations will be invited to provide feedback and request category changes if needed.

2. Applications for Recognition

The Committee reviewed constitutions submitted by UMBC TV and the Emergency Health Services Council of Majors, and asked Chris Najmi to request that the groups make minor revisions for clarity.

3. Application for Constitution Change

The Committee reviewed and approved the amended constitution submitted by Filmmakers Anonymous. Because the purpose of the organization is to watch and discuss films, the Committee asked me to remind the group about its responsibility to comply with copyright laws and licensing requirements.

4. Sports Clubs

The Committee began what promises to be a series of discussions aimed at resolving longstanding issues regarding the status of Sports Clubs. The Sports Clubs category maintained by the Office of Student Life and SGA has no official definition, but placement in that category has an important consequence: Sports Clubs are not eligible for SGA funding except for events directed at the entire campus, because they are expected to be coordinated and supported by the Athletics Department. Yet the Athletics Department has denied privileges and funding to several groups already in that category, leaving them with very limited campus support for their activities. The Committee discussed the need to get clarification from the Athletics Department about its criteria for supporting a Sports Club, and to develop a recognition process that does not result in the creation of more clubs that exist in name but lack access to funding and campus support.