The new candy-selling plan imposed by the administration and implemented by the Student Union (SU) will stifle the ability of clubs to finance themselves. The announcement that a permit would be required for candy selling was made on the SU Web site on Tuesday, November 20, barely noticeable beneath the freshman election results.
It did not mention the limit of 75 candy sellers or the fact that candy selling would be limited to about two weeks, nor did it articulate why this was happening, especially so late in the term.
But worst of all is the fact that, like SU funding, the process of selecting which clubs may sell candy is arbitrary and the cap on the number of candy sellers makes it all the harder for clubs who don’t have friends in the SU to get a permit. I propose:
• A cap on the number of candy sellers any one club may have instead of on the total number of candy sellers.
• A higher cap for groups such as robotics and clubs who can demonstrate greater financial need.
• Clear and well-publicized requirements as to what information must be provided, including the club advisor’s signature. If a club provides these, it gets a permit.
• Allowing applications throughout the year.
• Repealing the rule that lets teachers take away candy if it is sold in class. Previously, if a teacher did not like candy-selling, students would just stop selling in their class. Now, any teacher can take away a club’s funding.
• Allowing the sale (but not consumption) of candy in the library.
—Hendrik de Kock, junior
