Michelle Hennessy – News Writer
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – SCSU doesn’t do enough to explain to students where their money is going, according to Marissa Lavorgna, the Programs Council’s senior programmer for the Entertainment Committee.
“Southern should make them aware that they are paying for this activity fund and these are the things that you can do,” said Lavorgna. “I don’t think that’s put out there enough.”
She said more could be done when students start at SCSU to tell them how much they are paying for the activity fund so they know what they’re paying for and what’s available to them.
“I think they could advertise it better if they spoke to freshmen about it more during orientation or when they’re applying to Southern,” said Lavorgna. “They just need to make it known that within your tuition that’s what you’re paying for. If students thought they were paying for it then they might do more.”
Having been around since the 1960s, Lavorgna said ProCon’s budget comes from each student paying $75 into an activities fund in their tuition fees. The money collected then gets divided between the committees. She said by funding ProCon, it gives students more access to events and trips outside of campus.
“We put on free events for students as it just gives them something to do,” said Lavorgna. “That’s the main purpose of the Programs Council, so they’re not stuck in their dorms [on] weekends just studying their lives away.”
Though not every student will go to the events, Lavorgna said she doesn’t think it should be an optional payment.
“There are a lot of people that don’t know they pay the activity fee so whenever I’m promoting events I always say ‘guys you’re already paying for this and it’s free so come’ but I don’t know why they don’t come,” said Lavorgna. “I don’t think [it should be optional] I mean it benefits other students more.”
With the entertainment committee getting around $15,000 alone from students, ProCon aims to put on events all throughout the week, including movie nights on Tuesday, What’s On Wednesdays, activities and free food and t-shirts on Thursdays as well as bus trips to nearby cities, according to Lavorgna.
“We try and do at least one or two of each event in one month so it’s a lot, we’re very busy,” said Lavorgna.
ProCon describe themselves as “essential” and best known for being “awesome” on Southern’s website, and students like freshman Karin Morales said she doesn’t mind paying into the fund.
“It’s not too bad and I go to some of the events so I guess they do enough with the money they get,” said Morales.
Though she is aware of the amount that she pays to them, she said she agrees that not enough is done to notify students.
“I don’t think Southern does enough to tell people, I found out at orientation but I think they should make it clearer,” said Morales.
But not all students are as keen on funding ProCon.
“I don’t know how much I give them I just know how much I pay all together,” said junior Devonte Adams. “I don’t think Southern does enough. Now that you mention it, I want to know where my money is going.”
“I go to some if the events, some can be fun. I thought it was free, I thought I was paying all that money and that’s why it’s free,” said Adams. “But I want my money back and just not go to the events, I’d prefer that.”
