For Essence of Ebony receiving $2,000 Wednesday, was harder than passing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Because 16 Congress members decided not to come to SA’s weekly meeting for one reason or another, the multi-cultural group started and run by black students, and the unofficial ACU hockey team had to get approval from more than 75 percent of the sitting members.

In the United States, only 67 percent of Congress has to approve a Constitutional amendment, and only 75 percent of the states have to ratify it.

It should not be that hard for students to get their own money.

And it should not be that easy for Congress members to shirk the duty to which they voluntarily committed themselves.

Being a member of student government is not just a rŽsumŽ item; it is not just a little extra something to give a student that edge for the summer internship.

Being a member of student government is being responsible for thousands of the students’ dollars, is being responsible for the livelihood of dozens of student groups, is being responsible. Period.

Perhaps some members were sick; perhaps others had family emergencies. Perhaps most realized they had too much to do and decided SA was the commitment that was most expendable.

Now would be a good time for members to realize they are representatives for the student body. You disperse our money, you speak to the administration for us, you fight for our wants and needs. You do not sit home because you didn’t feel like representing us today.

If we elected you, we can remove you. If you don’t want the job, someone else probably does.

Essence of Ebony nearly got no money with which to put on a poetry night Nov. 16. The group almost got no money with which to conduct its February Black History Program-all because the group could only convince 70 percent of the Congress members present to vote for its request.

This isn’t the fault of those 10 who didn’t vote yes. This is the fault of the 16 who by their absence voted no to the entire student body.