I would like to take this opportunity to once again meddle with the Student Government Association. To those running for SGA positions, I’m offering 10 suggestions for your campaign platforms, and I swear they’re not as radical as my last story on SGA.

First, one of the five criteria for approving new organizations is the “need for the organization at Loyola.” There is no “need” for a Finger-painting Society, but who cares? This clause has been used to protest chartering Big Brothers Big Sisters, the largest organization on Loyola’s campus. If there are 10 students interested in starting an organization, there is a need. Eliminate this clause.

Second, schedule pre- and post-allocations. Organizations wait up to two hours to be heard during pre- and post-allocations. SGA works for the students, not the other way around. Let organizations make the appointments.

Third, reform allocations methods. Organizations are rejected funds because they have the option to raise the dues of their members. SGA deliberately keeps funds from organizations that benefit more people. This is not representative and needs to end.

Fourth, change philanthropy allocations. Organizations may request as much as $10,000 in order to raise $1,000. This is just wasteful of student funds. Change the philanthropy fundraiser requirement from 10 percent of SGA funds to 100 percent. If a group wants to raise $1,000, don’t give them more than $1,000 to raise it.

Fifth, allow organizations access to unused funds. This semester’s money belongs to this semester’s students and should not be rolled over to next year. Rules created technical cuts for a quarter of the organizations applying for funds this year. If all of the available funds cannot be allocated in a semester due to rules, maybe there is a problem with the rules, not the organizations.

Sixth, cut the price of microfridges. The price of buying a one is significantly lower than renting from SGA. $13,000 a year is made off microfridges, and almost all of these funds go toward SGA’s private dinners and the two cocktails (which are awesome, by the way). At the very least, just cut the fall cocktail. That will free up three or four thousand dollars, enabling SGA to cut the price of microfridges by about 10 percent.

Seventh, restrict mandatory events for organizational presidents. The president of the Finger-painting Society is not interested in SGA activities. He or she is interested in finger-painting.

Eighth, let the representatives choose the organizations they represent before congress instead of random selection. Better yet, let the organizations choose their representatives. Letting the people choose who represents them sounds a little more democratic. Why should some communist brush painter represent the democracy-loving finger-painters?

Ninth, cut the class ring ceremony. A significant amount of student fees go to fund this event, which has a relatively low turnout.

Tenth, fewer DJs. SGA has been paying as much as $500 for DJs. There are plenty of Loyola bands that would play for much less, and why not give our students some exposure?

Finally, don’t take yourself too seriously. You are running for student council, not a federal office. Our student leaders are working for the same goal – a better Loyola.

Although some of the actions of this administration defy common sense, Martina Mills and I would make a really cute couple. SGA has done a lot of good for our campus.