The Student Association’s revised recognition form is turning heads so quickly, the student body fails to realize the broad step forward the SA is making.

For the first time in recent history, the SA is going after something instead of waiting to catch it.

The recognition form needed by student organizations for funding and SA privileges asks groups for a membership breakdown along racial and gender lines and if there is an active affirmative action program in place. SA Vice President Tanya Smith, with consultation from others, developed the packet.

Some groups privately express fears of not being recognized because they don’t have an affirmative action program or are predominantly one race or gender. Smith said she has answered about five questions from groups who took the time to call for more information.

The organizations’ fears are unfounded because there are enough checks and balances within the SA to curtail abuses.

The packet’s purpose was to collect as much information about the groups as possible and head-off problems before they mushroom.

The questions on race, gender and affirmative action—and their effectiveness—are debatable, just as anything should be in a learning environment. In this instance, there is nothing wrong with those questions.

Smith and the SA have the right thing in mind with the registration packets.