Resident Scholar Stipend Cut

We have just been informed by reliable sources and a copy of a recent e-mail issued by a rank(ing) HQ staffer that the all you Resident Scholars out there who will continue to serve in that capacity next academic year (2005-2006) will have your benefits cut.

The Educational Foundation has funded the $500/senester stipend, but will discontinue doing so beginning with the 2005-2006 school year. We all know that in the total cost of college these days, that this may not be a drop in the bucket but every little bit helps. Considering that the variable support RS's receive from the chapter AVC's, discontinuance of this funding could certainly make this service position much less attractive.

Perhaps there is a good reason for this, but to simply send out an e-mail saying to "submit your paperwork for the Spring Semester ... and, by the way ..... no stipend will be available next year," with no further explanation is bad business. Guess we need to send the staff to Walt Disney Management Academy or the Prouty Institute.

Of course, what corporation is into humanity and good works these days? Is it all about profits??? Wouldn't this be a better place to put our money than into Spelling Bees? What programming will be cut next? EDGE? Ruck? CLA's?

We at S&P have a few recommendations on how HQ can better "cut the fat" and advance the Fraternity. Maybe we will just have to do an opinion survey or simply present our Top 10 list in a future post.

Guess that means you will just have to keep checking back. We've sent this to our senior editors for their take on it.