From the controversy surrounding gendered violence to Alert Carolina’s recent report of violent crime on Halloween, campus safety is a subject critical to the University at present. Student Congress should not absorb the Student Safety and Security Committee into an existing Student Congress Committee — a move that would decrease its effectiveness.
As the saying goes, “If it ain’t broken, don’t reorganize it.”
By absorbing the committee, Student Congress would place parliamentary obstacles before the SSSC in regards to distributing its available budget while ultimately doing nothing to resolve the committee’s unspent surplus.
The last thing Student Congress wants to do is inhibit the effectiveness of student safety groups.
The fact that the SSSC has run a considerable budget surplus in recent years is an opportunity for student safety groups to considerably expand their practices. It is not an indication that the committee is not functioning properly.
Redistribution of the surplus is an issue that should be managed from within the committee. The SSSC has already allocated money to new programs originating from Campus Health this year.
If the reason for the surplus is merely a lack of awareness of available funds, as committee chairman Tyler Jacon has stated, perhaps measures should be taken to increase the publicity of the committee.
Budgetary expansion of existing groups and creation of new student safety groups is the answer to the SSSC’s surplus. The surplus available for this expansion and creation is a testament to the safety-consciousness of UNC.
At a time when many issues stem from a lack of funding, it is reassuring to know that safety prioritization is reflected in student committee budgeting.
