GLBA ONE OF THE TOP FUNDED GROUPS BY SOUTHEAST STUDENT FEES

With funding of $4,528 from student-fee revenue, the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Association (GLBA) is one of the top funded student organizations at Southeast Missouri State University.

That funding has come in for criticism from some students, those involved with Student Government and the GLBA say.

But they contend the funding is allocated for specific programs, sponsored by the GLBA, which are educational in nature.

Bob Beodeker, who serves as adviser to Student Government, said only registered student organizations can be considered for funding. Such organizations must be comprised mainly of students and have faculty advisers.

Funding is generally not allocated to organizations that have restricted memberships, such as social fraternities and sororities.

The only exception, said Beodeker, is if such groups are holding campuswide events, such as a program on date rape.

"Student Government typically does not fund student organizations that do not have open membership on campus," he said.

The constitutions of the Association of Black Collegians and the GLBA, for example, allow anyone to join, not just blacks or gays or bisexuals, he pointed out.

But he acknowledged that individual clubs do appeal to particular interests.

Money for the GLBA pays for programs, speakers and films designed to educate the public about gays, lesbians and bisexuals. It also pays for the Prideline, a telephone information line.

"There is a good degree of intolerance right now in society for gay and lesbian people," said Beodeker.

He said Student Government is not funding illegal activity. "It is not illegal to be a gay person in Missouri," he said.

The GLBA has been an officially recognized campus organization since the fall of 1986.

Joe Dunlap, co-chairman of the GLBA, said the group receives so much money because it offers numerous public programs throughout the academic year. "We are one of the few gay things in this area so we do carry a lot of programming."

Last week, the group held a series of programs in celebration of its sixth anniversary. In all, about 120 people attended the week's events, Dunlap estimated. About 20 to 25 people are active in the organization and the group's mailing list numbers about 50.

"We have a lot of members who are considered straight," he said. "You don't have to be gay to understand gay-oriented issues."

Dunlap said, "In an area like this, where there is a lot of misunderstanding, it is very important to have that education out there."

But he acknowledged that some students are critical of funding for the group. "I think it is the overall attitude in this area," said Dunlap. "Down in this area, when you bring up sex, people just freak out."

Another group, the newly formed Heterosexual Society, received $20 in funding.

Jason Crowe, Student Government treasurer, said the group had requested $240, but most of that was proposed to be spent on food. Crowe said Student Government policies strictly prohibit funding of refreshments for various club-sponsored events.

Only the $20 earmarked for publicity fliers fell under the funding guidelines, he said.

The Help End Marijuana Prohibition organization has received $545 in student-fee funding for the current fiscal year. The group advocates legalizing the sale and use of marijuana.

Beodeker said the organization has received funding for specific speakers and programs. The group, he said, has not received funding to actually use marijuana or otherwise break the law.

He said he sees nothing wrong with funding such groups.

"Advocating changes in the way status quo exists has been a part of college life since institutions began," said Beodeker.

"I guess we support the potpourri of ideas where all ideas can be talked about or debated and looked at," he said.

"When the institution and Student Government fund those things, they are funding the educational process, the process of exploration and critical thinking," he maintained.

"We are an educational environment and the ideas that are brought up are a part of that. And that has got to be valued and has to be allowed even when it is uncomfortable for the university and the community as a whole," said Beodeker.