Funding for some Christian organizations on the Prairie View A & M campus is not sufficient to ensure their success.
With more than seven different groups on campus, Christian organizations are lacking financial support from the Student Government Association. Leaders are often asking themselves a common question, “Why aren’t we getting the support we need?”
Baptist Student Movement President Antonio Redmon said, “I believe the university is stuck on separation of church and school, they want to be cautious of mixing religion with school. However, they don’t realize the positive energy we are bringing to the campus.”
Many reason that their organizations are overlooked due to the idea of separation of the religion and school. In the past, schools around the United States have tried to avoid any ties with church and state. However, some students believe that should not stop them from funding a student organization.
Vice President of Christian mime group One Accord Edi Ibanga said, “I understand that the school may want to be cautious do to things that have happened in the past. Then again, these organizations on campus are student organizations; so, they should receive funding just like CAB or any other genre of organizations would get.”
Several of the Christian organization leaders have tried to receive funding from the SGA, but have been turned down.
Redmon said, “As an organization, BSM, being one of the oldest organization on this campus, has been declined twice by the SGA for funding. It somewhat hurts because you know that you’re doing something that you are called to do and love dearly, but you don’t receive the support you need.”
Redmon believes that it is unfortunate that a school-sponsored organization must solicit support from outside sponsors because of lack of help from the university.
“Our last conference in Dallas was a struggle for us. We had to raise over $8,000 by ourselves and with outside help. We had no absolute help financially through the school,” Redmon said.
Adrian Richards, President of Prairie View Mime group believes the Christian organizations on campus must constantly try harder to prove their relevance.
“We, the organization, have to continue to prove that we are for the betterment of our campus through each event that we host on and off campus; so that everyone will see how passionate and effective we are on this campus,” Richards said.