Earlier in the month, SSFC denied MCSC segregated fee funding, after concluding that the organization had not met eligibility criteria, citing previous budget expenditures and an intentional policy violation.
MCSC Rep. Libby Wick-Bander said MCSC feels as though they have been directly targeted by the SSFC, adding that SSFC has committed multiple bylaw violations.
“This appeal is an effort to restore integrity to the process so that the students first amendment rights are respected,” Wick-Bander said in an appeal to reverse SSFC’s decision.
Wick-Bander presented 11 legal issues against SSFC including violation of multiple bylaws, due process rights, viewpoint neutrality and uninformed SSFC members.
SSFC Chair David Vines said the reason for the SSFC’s decision stemmed from MCSC’s lack of preparedness and incomplete eligibility application, even after they were given a five-day extension on the deadline to turn it in.
The extension was given due to a change made in the eligibility application by SSFC, Vines said. SSFC had also provided suggestions to MCSC for their appeal, which MCSC did not take, he said.
Vines said MCSC was simply unprepared for their eligibility hearing adding that the appeals MCSC presented were irrelevant because they had no impact on the decision made, he said.
Debate transitioned away from the appeal, when Wick-Bander said she felt uncomfortable presenting an argument to a body chosen by Student Judiciary Chief Justice, Nicholas Checker, who she said has bias against her.
Wick-Bander said Checker’s roommate campaigned against her for a stipeneded student government position and won. Wick-Bander said Checker benefited from his roommates win, noting that his roommate would not have been able to pay rent without the stipend.
Although Checker said he did not “unitarily” make decisions on Student Judiciary, Wick-Bander said Checker should have disclosed this information, as “it would have been nice if that integrity could be upheld.”
Wick-Bander expressed further concern that there are multiple forces working against MCSC.
“[MCSC] has been persecuted and targeted for years,” Wick-Bander said. “MCSC has been treated in a way that no other organization has been treated for the last three years.”
Student Judiciary will release their decision within 10 business days.
