UNLV Student Government Spending Called Into Question

(Mark Ciavola) – The UNLV College Republicans today are once again demanding that UNLV’s Student Government (CSUN) be more responsible when spending student fees during a time of unprecedented budget crisis.

The UNLVCRs, who remain the only student organization at UNLV to publicly refuse university funding for 2011, are focusing on four expenses they believe are examples of a misuse of student fees. They include CSUN going 30% over budget in funding for student organizations this school year, which increased from the allotted $60,000 to $80,000, and $12,000 spent on “identity graduations” which provide an additional graduation for students of specific race including African American, Hispanic, Native American and Pacific Islander.

“Diversity programs at universities should be about bringing students together, not separating them according to their differences,” said Mark Ciavola, president of the UNLVCRs. “These special graduations have left out many groups, including UNLV’s gay students, and forces one to ask where the line should be drawn, and whether students should bear the brunt of these costs.”

Two other expenditures raised the ire of the College Republicans including an approved $5,000 for a “headphone disco,” which according to The Rebel Yell had those in attendance numbering “at no more than 10 at any given time and half of those attendees were CSUN members.” Lastly, it was brought to the attention of the UNLVCRs that CSUN has approved over $4,000 this session in food for its senators and directors, including dinners at trendy restaurant Firefly.

“It’s stunning to see CSUN play such an active role in attacking Governor Brian Sandoval and state legislators over budget cuts, when they themselves are not willing to be fiscally responsible,” continued Ciavola. “They are apparently happy eating filet mignon sliders at Firefly on our dime, while Rome burns.”