SAC votes not to recall rally funding

Following a recommendation by its Executive Board, the Student Activity Council's general body -- composed of one representative from each of the 150 SAC-funded groups -- decided not to revoke the $299 that had been allocated to the Progressive Activist Network for a controversial rally against police brutality last week. The vote came in the wake of accusations that PAN had violated conditions set by SAC for the last-minute funding by violating a stipulation that the rally not discuss the controversial case of Mumia Abu-Jamal -- a journalist sitting on death row for the 1982 murder of a police office -- or allow activist Pam Africa to speak at the rally. "I am glad to see, however, that the SAC body supports the Executive Board's decision and student groups' right to free speech," said SAC chairperson Katie Cooper. Prior to last night's meeting, representatives of several other student groups under the SAC umbrella voiced concerns that PAN had violated both SAC's request and its funding guidelines by allowing Africa to speak about the Abu-Jamal case during the rally. Under federal and University guidelines, SAC -- a non-profit group funded by Penn -- cannot use its funds to advocate for legislation or political parties, candidates or office holders. But the final vote upheld the non-binding position against revoking the funding articulated by the Executive Board at a special meeting last Monday night. In an official statement the Board said that SAC's attempt to restrict the demonstration was an "error in judgement." According to the statement, the decision stemmed from a "misinterpretation of [SAC's funding] guidelines by the Executive Board." "Members of PAN insisted that their protest was not political in nature," said SAC Vice Chairperson and College junior Cathy Hwang. "It wasn't political, and we misinterpreted the rules because there was no legislation mentioned at the rally and we were wrong in saying that PAN could not mention Mumia." The unusually brief 15 minute SAC meeting also passed a contingency allocation of $5,176 for the Biochemistry Club. Many student groups sought re-recognition from SAC after being penalized for failing to attend two meetings. SAC allowed all requests for re-recognition, while cutting budgets by 10 percent for the Academic Demolition Team, Penn Arab Student Society, Penn Watch, Red and Blue, the Wharton Asian Association and Transfer Orientation. SAC also passed re-recognition of Ma'ayan, MECHA and Off the Beat without any budget cut. SAC also voted not to extend recognition to a new group. The Wharton Future Options and Hedging Strategies Club failed in its bid for SAC recognition and $4,691 in funding. "It is an investment club and we aren't going to fund their personal investment," Cooper said.

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