Monday, October 23, 2006
Scott Southworth was right
Just how many ideas and organizations do college students have to pay for? This is a little creepy to me.
Waukesha - Amber Braun is one witch who does not want to frighten anyone this Halloween.As president of the Pagan Student Alliance, a new club at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha, Braun hopes to show non-believers that they have nothing to fear from followers of paganism.
"We're coming out of the broom closet," the 20-year-old Waukesha resident said with a smile.
About a dozen students so far have joined the alliance, which has been officially recognized by student government leaders at UW-Waukesha and is eligible to request funding from student fees.
It is believed to be the only such organization at any college or university in southeastern Wisconsin.
The club has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism from some at UW-Waukesha, yet administrators and student leaders are voicing tolerance and a willingness to learn.
"It's an opportunity for students to be exposed to new ideas," said Sue Kalinka, associate director of student services.
Of course it is Sue. It's not YOUR money they are wasting either. Why do we pay fees for this kind of nonsense? What's next, the student NAMBLA or the student KKK? Why not? It seems like in higher education as long as it goes against Christian beliefs and values it is perfectly acceptable.
My beef with this is what kind of slippery slope does a Pagan club create. So we can throw out any ideas, get officially recognized (which is as simple as filling out a from and finding an advisor), and request large sums of student money. Here's a thought, why don't we just lower our segregated fees so that we don't pay for student organizations. With that money, we can start our own and spend it as we wish.
This Pagan Club makes as much sense as the Jon Hayden Memorial Men's Lavatory I had proposed weeks ago. Well--at least you get some function out of my bathroom.
Labels: SE Wisconsin
