The fact that the UW-Madison Roman Catholic Foundation was denied university funding and recognition Friday is disappointing. However, even more upsetting was the journey to the decision, which now puts the nation's largest religious student group without funding.
It took the Registered Student Organization office nearly four months to deny UWRCF. The process normally takes three to four weeks. In an e-mail, director Yvonne Fangmeyer said she lacked UWRCF's bylaws. It does not take bylaws to realize that only three of the group's 12 board members are students; it can be found easily.
It is important for Fangmeyer to explain the prolonged process of UWRCF's rejection. So far, she has not commented to the media.
We believe UW Communications Spokesperson John Lucas, who says the university wants to work with the group so it can remain on campus, but Fangmeyer needs to quit stonewalling and explain—if only so UWRCF can potentially alter its strategy for next year.
UWRCF could have more actively monitored its RSO status this summer, but it was the first group to submit its application.
Should it restructure its board, the Student Services Finance Committee would disregard its funding application.
An explanation is necessary in figuring out how UWRCF can increase its chances of receiving money—and status—as a registered student organization on the UW-Madison campus.
