The student organization recognition policy has caused concern for many across campus.

Forums were hosted by the Government of the Student Body university affairs committee not only to learn more about what is going on but also to get input from students and other individuals who want to voice their opinion, explained GSB senator, chairman of the university affairs committee and senior in physics, Zaal Tonia.

There were opinions from both sides at the forums, said Paul Keppy, GSB senator, member of the university affairs committee and sophomore in political science.

“It was very civilized discussion. We had a good discussion,” Keppy said.

Tonia said many people at the forums were surprised that the university was even considering exempting people from the nondiscrimination policy.

“It seemed to blindside a couple people,” Tonia said.

There were interesting discussions, and many people who left the forums were not happy, Tonia said.

Although the policy is not written by GSB, it will make a recommendation to the university about the policy and will decide which organizations to fund.

“Student organization recognition is up to the university and student organization funding is up to us,” Tonia said.

For those concerned about the new policy, Memorial Union Director Richard Reynolds assured that there will be a way to give input.

“There’s multiple opportunities for feedback,” he said.

The feedback, which is essential, will help with the board’s decision, Reynolds said.

“I think it will be taken very seriously,” he said.

GSB has to follow certain rules when it comes to deciding whom to fund.

Student groups can still be funded by GSB even if they are not recognized by the university, said Jason Carroll, GSB finance director and graduate student in civil, construction and environmental engineering.

In this case, if they are not recognized by the university, they must be officially recognized by the GSB Senate, he said.

Carroll said a group’s bylaws must open it to all activity fee-paying students in order to receive funding from student fees money. This means that if the new policy passes, GSB could turn down funding for groups after consideration from the senate.

However, the decision cannot be arbitrary and general rules have to be followed, Carroll said.

“The senate also has to operate within a viewpoint of neutrality standpoint. That means we can’t deny funding based on the content of an activity,” he said.

Carroll said GSB would only deny funding to clubs or events that were not open to all students.

The committee that is drafting the policy has been very open to suggestion and shown respect to student opinion, so the recommendations that GSB makes have a good chance of being listened to, Tonia said.

Those who did not make it to the forums can still give input. Those interested in learning more about the policy can look on the GSB Web site or voice their opinion at upcoming GSB meetings.

“We would encourage members of the student body to attend the first two meetings of GSB next semester,” Tonia said.

Students can also contact individual senators and the university affairs committee to learn more about the situation.