ON FATSSSA PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM: Demerits of Executive Policy in Renting out the PA System

by Annuoluwapo Akande

On July 18th, the Executive Council announced a new policy allowing the Public Address (PA) System to be rented out for use outside the faculty. While this decision may seem practical on the surface, it raises critical concerns about its implications for FATSSSAites and the sustainability of the system.

First, it is essential to ask: who benefits most from this decision? The PA system was purchased using resources contributed by FATSSSAites, primarily for faculty use. By opening it up for external rentals, the executives risk deprioritizing the very students whose contributions made the acquisition possible. Is it fair that a resource meant to serve FATSSSAites might now be more readily available to outsiders, potentially even at the expense of faculty events?

A troubling incident that occurred recently seems to underscore these concerns. The PA system was rented to a FATSSSAite for use outside the faculty, who in turn failed to return it at the time it was due. This raises several questions: What safeguards are in place to ensure responsible use? How will the executives ensure that external users respect the system and return it in good condition? These questions remain unanswered, leaving room for uncertainty and potential mismanagement.

Furthermore, the sustainability of the PA system is at stake. Frequent use by external parties (who may not feel a direct responsibility for its upkeep) will likely accelerate wear and tear. When the inevitable happens and the system requires repairs, where will the funds come from? 

The answer, unfortunately, is clear: FATSSSAites, through their basic dues. This policy not only risks depleting a valuable resource but also unfairly shifts the financial burden of maintenance onto students.

Another pressing concern is availability. What happens if the PA system is needed for a faculty event during a rental period? It cannot simply be retrieved from an external user who has paid for it. This creates the possibility that a non-FATSSSAite could have greater access to the system than a FATSSSAite. Such a scenario not only undermines the purpose of the system but also raises questions about the executives’ commitment to serving the faculty first.

This policy also opens the door to logistical and reputational risks. Imagine the embarrassment of a faculty event being disrupted because the PA system is unavailable, rented out to an external party. Such incidents could tarnish the faculty’s image and disrupt its activities, all for short-term revenue.

While generating income may be necessary, the manner in which this is pursued matters greatly. Renting out the PA system for use outside the faculty appears to prioritize profit over the needs and interests of FATSSSAites. It is a decision that seems short-sighted, lacking a comprehensive strategy to ensure sustainability, accessibility, and fairness.

If the executives are serious about serving FATSSSAites, they must revisit this policy. A better approach would involve clear guidelines that prioritize faculty use, ensure accountability, and protect the system from undue wear and tear. Until then, this decision will remain a source of concern, and rightly so, for the students it ultimately affects.