The incoming Student Association executive board has announced plans to withdraw funding from Sub Board I, Inc. This action will jeopardize vital services that many students depend on for their health, safety and entertainment. This course of action does not reflect the needs of UB students and should not be pursued.
As SBI's largest contributor, SA's withdrawal would likely close Sub-Board's doors. If Sub-Board closes, the following services will no longer be provided to UB students:
- Student Medical Insurance
- Low cost prescriptions from the Sub-Board Pharmacy
- Free HIV and pregnancy testing from the Clinical Lab
- The Anti-Rape Task Force
- Free legal advice from Group Legal Services
- All planning and coordination for Spring and Fall Fest from UUAB
- Movies in the Union from UUAB
- Free ticket sales for student clubs from the Sub Board Ticket Office
In the absence of Sub-Board, SA claims it will provide these services. They plan to use undergraduate money to fund services for all undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Under SA's plan, services would be similar, but SA would retain all control. In exchange, SA will fund the entire program. This plan is clearly an irresponsible use of undergraduate money. It is unlikely that SA will succeed at providing these services to all students with the money it has available. They will be forced to cut services, raise fees or neglect the 8,000 graduate and professional students who also require these services.
This letter is a call to action for students to oppose SA's withdrawal from Sub Board. It is unfair for SA to gamble our services in an effort to gain control of SBI. There are other solutions to SA's concerns that do not place vital services at risk and are mutually beneficial to all UB students.
Please visit www.subboard.com for more information on SBI's services and a petition to save the organization.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
