The groups that have lost recognition are the Northwestern A Cappella Board, Northwestern Girl Scouts, Nvision, the Filipino Student Association and the Student Alumni Association.
ASG Executive Vice President Jordan Heinz said the groups decided that ASG recognition “wasn’t in their best interest.”
“Before this year, decisions to derecognize student groups were always authoritative,” said Heinz, an Education junior. “This year, it was a mutual decision to move away from ASG funding with these groups.”
But NACB President Andrew Roberts said his group might appeal the ruling. Roberts said the decision would make it “a lot more difficult for NACB to operate.”
“Losing ASG recognition is definitely a roadblock for NACB,” said Roberts, a Weinberg junior. “(Heinz) told us we shouldn’t be recognized because we are just a general board of all the a cappella groups. But without B status, we can’t advertise or reserve performing space for the twelve a cappella groups we represent.”
Although Roberts said NACB “was not in agreement” with the decision, Heinz said the executive committee developed a more open relationship with student groups during the evaluation process than they had in years past.
ASG divides student groups into three categories of recognition in the annual review: A-status groups receive ASG funding and administrative support, and B-status groups receive administrative support but no funding. T status is reserved for temporary organizations or groups training to move up to the next level.
The five derecognized groups all had B status.
Last year the committee ruled to demote or derecognize 16 student groups, including Alianza and the Interfraternity Council. After appealing the committee’s decisions to Senate, half of the groups again earned their recognition.
Heinz said the effort to work with groups this year illustrates a change in the role of the executive vice president.
“You won’t forge good relationships with the student groups by working against them,” he said. “This year, I have tried be an advocate for the groups, not just an overseer.”
NU Girl Scouts President Cara Moultrup said she agrees that the committee worked with her student group.
“ASG was really great and worked with us,” said Moultrup, a Medill sophomore. “They told us that we could keep ASG recognition if we wanted it, but our group made a decision within ourselves to dissolve because of a lack of interest.”
FSA President Jeff Quinto said his group chose to disband voluntarily, but might reorganize in the future.
Alianza President Lilly Gonz
