SAC adds two groups to council

The Student Activities Council recognized two new student groups last night at its monthly meeting. The Penn Sporting Club, a target and skeet-shooting group, and Teach West Philadelphia, an organization which plans to tutor Asian refugees in the area, will join the organization of more than 140 student groups. The council did vote, however, to deny additional funding to the Penn Sporting Club, which had requested money to attend a trap and skeet shooting competition in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Junior Dan Speaars, representing the club, requested $2,544 to help pay for the travel and registration costs of the competition, but many SAC members voiced concern that the group was not truly competitive. According to SAC Financial Committee member Brad Rosenberg, SAC will pay half of a group's travel expenses only if the group can prove it is competitive. Several members said they are also concerned that the club was promoting the use of guns. Sophomore Sara Kleinberg, who represented Amnesty International at the meeting, told the group that although the members do not shooting at anything alive, "we just don't think learning how to use a gun is a worthwhile thing." Spears told the body, though, that the club plans to participate in target and skeet shooting competitions, as well as teach and promote the safe use of guns. He was awarded $139 from SAC for office supplies. In addition to the two new groups, SAC also re-recognized several student organizations, including the Wharton Women's Forum, Senior Class Board and Pakistan Society. Both the Senior Class Board and Pakistan Society lost recognition after missing required SAC meetings. "We're non-political, we don't offend anyone, and we want our SAC money back," said Senior Class Board Treasurer Mandee Heller, summing up her group's request for re-recognition. In a separate vote, SAC allocated $1,138 to WXPN Sports to enable them to attend the NCAA basketball tournament and broadcast men's basketball games. SAC Financial Committee Chair Dave West said WXPN pledged to return any unused money.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.