The first Student Organzations Forum took place Wednesday night at 7:30 and lasted until 8:30. According to an MUSG handout, "This is the first forum by student government specifically designated for Marquette University sports clubs or academic organizations. The forum is specifically designed so that you may raise any type of concern as a recognized group on campus."
The forum, held in Cudahy Hall, served as an open question-and-answer meeting which allowed student representatives to point out issues and concerns involving student organizations. Representatives from two organizations brought their concerns to the committee.
According to Dorothy Jenke, a freshman in the College of Communication, said "the forum was an opportunity for organizations to talk to MUSG."
The issues ranged from space availability for events, to gaining approval for those events, to freedom of expression.
One difficulty involved with planning an event is getting approval from both the Office of Student Development and being granted a space from the Event Management Office, said Dominique George, a member of Jesuit University Students Together In Concerned Empowerment. JUSTICE is a social justice and activist group on campus.
"The format of the event can change depending on whether you receive a space or not," George, a senior in the College of Engineering, said.
Members of the MUSG Committee of Student Organizations said that they believe space is a problem for all student organizations. Space in the Alumni Memorial Union is at a premium, because meetings held there frequently receive higher attendance.
The MUSG committee also said that often students are hesitant to go to academic buildings for student organization meetings.
John Connors is the chairman of the Student Organization Committee, and he mediated the forum. According to Connors, a sophomore in the College of Business Administration, a new all-university space committee has been formed to manage space on campus. The committee will focus on the needs of student organizations in terms of space. It will also manage a system that coordinates how the space is given out. There is also a group looking into utilizing the first floors of the union for events.
Another issue discussed at the forum was the freedom of expression allowed by administrators on campus.
Both George and Connors discussed a need to ensure student organizations do not fear censorship by the administration.
George said some organizations are afraid to hold events that might be considered "on edge" because of punishment from the administration.
One controversial student organization event was shut down last semester. The College Republicans held a fundraiser called "Adopt a Sniper" that aimed to fund American snipers in Afghanistan and Iraq. University officials said one of the slogans used at the event, "1 Shot, 1 Kill, No Remorse, I Decide," was not consistent with the university's Catholic, Jesuit mission.
Connors said to prevent student organizations' fears of censorship, MUSG should take an active role.
"Kids are scared to voice to the administration in fear of backlash," Connors said. "MUSG needs to make itself more accessible for organizations and an open forum is the first step."