The purchase of a new computer system for the Student Association approved by the summer finance committee was suggested “to avoid embarassing situations” like those which have occurred in the past, but before this situation is over the SA may find itself a bit red in the face.

There is no question that the purchase of the $8,500 Zenith computer system proposed by SA Vice President Gregg Bliss would be an asset and a needed improvement over the SA’s existing system. But what is questionable is the manner in which the SA has gone about to acquire funding for this system.

The proposal was to come before the senate for vote but because it was five members short of the 15 necessary for quorum, and the inability of members to meet at the previously scheduled date, an impromptu committee was literally scrapped together. The purpose of this spontaneously formed committee was to provide supplemental funding for contractual obligations which could not wait until the senate reconvenes in the fall.

SA Treasurer Diana Turowski was right when she advised that the approval of the proposal, with a stipulation that the Turowski and Bliss meet to see if a cheaper system can be purchased, was still a “bad political move … under these conditions.”

The committee tabled other requests from student organizations and decided that since contracts requiring immediate funding were not involved, the groups’ requests could wait until the fall. Why should the SA members act like spoiled children unable to wait for their fair turn and treat themselves any differently?