The Shaw Hall Black Caucus should have signed the proposal that would have allocated RHA funds to its hall.

Last spring, the Shaw Hall Senate modified its constitution, requiring all in-hall groups to petition to have a voting seat on their senate. The amendment’s purpose was to prevent inactive organizations from receiving funds and to improve attendance at its meetings. Groups also must request funds on a per-event basis.

Concerns have grown that if other caucuses were started in Shaw Hall, funds would be divided among a larger number of groups - giving the Black Caucus a smaller portion than it has received during its 31 years of existence.

In order for residence halls to receive their $5 per student allocation from RHA, they had to submit a budget proposal by Oct. 11 with the signatures of both the government and hall caucus presidents.

Because the Shaw Hall Black Caucus refused to sign the bill because of concern that the group could receive less funding in the future, the entire hall will not receive its $4,000 of RHA funds, which will leave several of the hall’s organizations scrambling for money.

The Shaw Hall Black Caucus should have signed for the hall’s greater good. It is unfair that other groups in Shaw Hall are in a financial bind because of the decision of the Shaw Hall Black Caucus. The group should have taken into account the financial fate of these groups when it made its decision.

Any qualms the Shaw Hall Black Caucus had with the proposal could have been set aside after the deadline so the hall could receive its fair share of funding. The caucus would have had a year to compromise with the Senate and come to an agreement.

It is reasonable that the caucus disagrees with the proposal. The Shaw Hall Black Caucus has received money from the hall’s government each of the 31 years it has existed and was worried that the proposal might draw funds away from the group later.

Since no other caucuses exist in Shaw Hall, it is unlikely that the proposal would have affected the group in the near future. The caucus should have signed the proposal and then fought for necessary changes when the situation arose - but then fought the constitution with every tooth and nail.

The Shaw Hall Black Caucus has proved itself to be a positive addition to the community. The group has a history of good attendance at Shaw Hall Senate meetings. It also makes good use of its money by awarding the Tomi-Terre Memorial to a female black student each year.

Without financial support from Shaw Hall, the scholarship may be in jeopardy this year. By looking out for the future of the group, the organization may be unable to provide the award this year. The misgivings it had with the proposal are not worth the sacrifice it has made.

The group’s refusal to sign the proposal will not only have a negative effect on the group itself but on the other organizations in Shaw Hall as well.