Dear Editors,

In lieu of last issue’s “Letter to the Editor” written by the Caribbean Cultural Awareness Club (C.C.A.C.) Executive Board, I feel it is only right to accurately explain the facts of the case and how S.G.A. decided on the sanctions placed on C.C.A.C.

On September 9th, 2007, C.C.A.C. sponsored an event in which Public Safety documented that the following incidents took place: marijuana suspicion, forced entry by attendees, and damage to university property. After the incident report was filed by Public Safety, S.G.A. launched an investigation into the event and the occurrences of the evening. However, this was not the first time that S.G.A. was investigating an event by C.C.A.C. Since September of 2006, C.C.A.C. has had several incidents at each of their events. Last year, S.G.A. met with C.C.A.C. to try and rectify the problem. The club’s leadership offered to make several accommodations to ensure that their future events would remain safe. After those conversations and repeated warnings issued by S.G.A., the incidents continued to take place.

In response to the latest incident, S.G.A. issued a letter and met formally with the C.C.A.C. Executive Board. At this meeting, S.G.A. Vice President Michael Duffy and I explained to the club’s leadership what our concerns were and allowed them the opportunity to voice their concerns. Immediately following this meeting we met with many individuals, including Public Safety and event attendees. We convened and sanctioned C.C.A.C. We provided the club with a written decision on the sanction and met separately with representatives from the club and U.M.O.J.A. to discuss the outcome. As far as we understood, everyone was clear on what the outcome was and what the sanctions entailed.

S.G.A.’s investigation was done in collaboration with the Center for Student Involvement. It was the goal of both parties to conduct a fair trial that would keep C.C.A.C. informed at all times. In addition, U.M.O.J.A. leadership was informed as the investigation was ongoing and was given a copy of the decision. However, it is important to note that U.M.O.J.A. is not the governing body of C.C.A.C. or cultural clubs, which is a right that only S.G.A. holds. Furthermore, U.M.O.J.A. as a member of the S.G.A. is required to be present at each meeting of the S.G.A. Senate. A representative of U.M.O.J.A. failed to meet their responsibility and attend this meeting. If they would have attended, they could have defended C.C.A.C. However, they forfeited that right when they failed to attend.

Student safety must be the priority of the University Administration, S.G.A., as well as the student body. We cannot put the success of our events over the safety of our students and staff. C.C.A.C. has failed to manage their events properly and has hosted events that endanger the well-being of its attendees and the integrity of our school.

It is my hope that C.C.A.C. can stop placing the blame for their failed events on S.G.A. and Public Safety, and instead look internally on how they can continue hosting well-attended events while maintaining a safe environment for our campus. Vice President Duffy and I will continue to monitor the progress of C.C.A.C. When we are certain that they are serious about event safety and have a plan of action on how to maintain it, we will begin discussions on allowing C.C.A.C to use S.G.A. allocated funds once again.

Michael Berthel
President, S.G.A.