In the previous issue of the Clarion there was a segment on AUSA Senate appropriations. Two appropriations stood out, $500 for the College Republicans, and another $900 for the Catholic Campus Ministry (FOCUS). When I sat on the Senate two years ago, the Board of Contingency (BOC) based funding off of the question, “How will the funding benefit the university as a whole?” I would question why the College Republicans and FOCUS should receive excess funding.

In previous years, the College Republicans have been listed as non-fundable. This is not surprising since their DU Web site states “College Republicans is the on-campus arm of the Republican Party.” It encourages members to “get involved in Republican campaigns on national, state, and local levels” and promotes events that “further a conservative political philosophy” This agenda makes it questionable whether or not they can put on a speaking event where both sides are represented fairly.

It might be wise if the Senate adopts a constitutional amendment similar to one made at CU Boulder. It reads, “fees may not be used in support of or opposition to political candidates, political parties and ballot issues or for programs related to political campaigning. Requests for student fee support of partisan political activities will not be entertained.” We really do not need to risk our tax-exempt status by funding political groups; especially since the College Republicans have never previously needed funding.

The next disturbing allocation by the Senate was to FOCUS. The FOCUS national Web site points to a group whose focus is on proselytization-the conversion of new members. The national FOCUS Web site states, “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20).

FOCUS’s Web site at DU states that the organization, “is an outreach program to Roman Catholic students and anyone interested in Catholic faith. We offer weekly small group Bible studies, one-on-one discipleship, and large group activities…called Prime Time, which gather a group of other students who are curious about what their FOCUS missionary friends are doing. They are invited to become involved in small-group Bible studies.”

This sounds like proselytization to me, and disturbing since the university is trying to promote itself as one of America’s most international universities.

The allocation of $900 will be used to fund a service learning opportunity.

However, I question why this money is being allotted since there is already a spring break service opportunity with the Community Action Program (CAP).

This is another area where we might want to follow the lead of CU Boulder. DU should add to the AUSA Constitution the following: “Student fees shall not be used in aid of any church or sectarian society, for any sectarian purpose or to help support or sustain any student group, school, academy, seminary, college, university or other literary or scientific institution controlled by any church or sectarian denomination.”

The University of Denver Senate is off-track, and it’s time to contact your AUSA Senator about this situation.