Barbara Henley doesn’t think $850 is a significant amount of money in an $800,000 budget. And maybe it isn’t.

But considering $850 is more then some Student Association recognized organizations receive for an entire year, it certainly is a significant amount.

Henley, who is the vice president for student affairs, recently used her

authority to allocate $850 for the Campus Activies Board Visual Arts Committee to provide refreshments at its 16 art exhibits after the request was rejected by the CA senate.

It is understandable that cookies and punch might add a nice touch to the exhibits, as they have in the past. What is not understandable is why Henley felt these cookies and punch were so important that she ignored the recommendation of the SA to skip the treats this year.

Although Henley remembers differently, both SA President Rob McCormack and SA Treasurdr Mike Holy claim they objected when Henley said she wanted to give the art committee the extra money.

However, Henley feels the matter is trivial and is “somewhat amazed this has become an issue.”

Welh if the cookies and punch are trivial, then why did she bother to go against what the SA requested and make the change at all? Certainly people don’t attend the art shows because they want to sample the latest butter cookie being served at the Holmes Student Center.

Perhaps Henley should save her veto power for times when it really makes a difference—such as blatant misuse of funds—instead of regulating after-school snacks.