As an SA senator who voted to deny CRAVE official recognition, I felt obligated to attempt to clarify my decision and that of those who agreed with me.

Allow me to start by first making it understood that there was not one, but multiple reasons, why CRAVE was denied SA recognition. In defense of fellow senator Andrew Becerra, his concern was not necessarily that there was an excess of organizations similar to CRAVE here on campus, but rather that CRAVE offered nothing that these already existing organizations did not. In fact, according to CRAVE’s representative, the only thing that differentiated it from other campus Christian organizations was its affiliation to Christ Community Church.

Sam Thomas, an NIU student who defended CRAVE in a Oct. 10 letter to the editor, stated: “CRAVE’s leadership has friendly connections with quite a few of the Christian organizations recognized by the SA.” I found this statement interesting, considering that when the representative was asked whether she had ever attended a meeting of some of the other Christian organizations here on campus, she replied “no.”

Another concern of the SA senators was a lack of a student base in the organization. In fact, CRAVE has only two members that are NIU students (of the fewer than 10 current members), the other members, of course, being members of Christ Community Church. What I got from the presentation of the CRAVE representative was that their organization was not necessarily for the benefit of the students of NIU, as it was for the benefit of the membership of Christ Community Church.

I personally can say that I gave the representative multiple opportunities to distinguish her organization from the already existing Christian organizations on campus, but time and time again the only thing she had to offer our body was her affiliation to Christ Community Church. I explained to her that the purpose of student organizations on campus is not to recruit membership to entities separate from NIU, which seemed to be the purpose of her organization.

I would also like to address Mr. Thomas’ assumption that the SA has some type of personal vendetta against Christian organizations. That particular statement is as equally ignorant as it is ridiculous, especially considering the organization Hartland: Post Modern Faith (also a Christian organization) was granted SA recognition at the very same session. What separated the latter organization from CRAVE, besides the enthusiasm and animation of its representative, was proper preparation. They provided our body with information that showed a strong student base, support from NIU faculty and, most importantly, a unique and clear plan to distribute their message in the NIU community.

What I want the membership of CRAVE to understand is that we have nothing against them and would, in fact, have no problem granting them recognition if they come prepared to distinguish themselves as an organization for the benefit of Christian students. If Mr. Thomas had put as much effort into supporting his friend (i.e., attending the meeting) as he did into his letter to the editor, I am sure CRAVE would have received recognition.

Mark Clay

Student Association Senator