Dear Editor,
I would like to address some points that were brought up in
a recent article titled “Coddling a Prodigal Enterprise.” The Challenge Course started as an enterprise
less than four years ago. In this a short amount of time, it has been a
well-used facility appreciated by a variety of students. The agreement that was
made stated: “The net proceeds, after payment of direct and indirect operating
expenses, will be split 85 percent to Campus Recreation and 15 percent to the
Associated Students.”
The fund subsidizing the cost for student groups to utilize
the course was created in order to provide student organizations access to a
leadership-development program on our own campus. Subsidizing student
organizations’ use of the course will provide them with team-building and
leadership-development programs that they may not have access to without the
support of the council.
This young enterprise has not been a financial burden for
the Associated Students. Every year, the Challenge Course draws a variety of
on-campus and off-campus organizations. These organizations have left positive
feedback, consistently commending the enterprise. The allocated funding for the
Challenge Course is designated to benefit the student body. Subsidizing
students’ costs to use the course is not
an attempt by the Associated Students to funnel more money to the enterprise.
Instead, it is providing a valuable leadership opportunity for our student
organizations.
— Chelsea Maxwell
A.S. Associate Vice President of
