In an attempt to save funding, the Union Senate is pushing for a consolidation of the 12 on-campus martial arts clubs into one umbrella organization. Under this new consortium, the clubs would share funding and equipment and be in greater contact with one another, according to Class of 2003 Senator Aziz Nekoukar."Hypothetically, if the Aikido Club and Uechi-ryu Karate Club both go before the A-Board to request money for mats, uniforms, etc., instead of forcing the A-Board to give just a little to both groups, they could then pool resources and each get what they want," Nekoukar said. "That would be the ideal occurrence and it is the main reason an umbrella consortium is being considered."

Although the project is still in its infancy and will not be implemented for another few months, some senators feel it will be a valuable organization and benefit those clubs involved.

"Collectively, there is a good chance the clubs would see an increase in membership and find itself in a more relaxed position regarding finances," Nekoukar said. "Groups could share rooms, equipment, and more easily interact to put on tournaments, productions, shows and perhaps host large-scale competitions. Their reach could be enormous if each group helped another."

Similarly, the Undergraduate Theater Collective (UTC) is an umbrella organization consisting of five chartered theater groups on campus.

"It's beneficial for the theater groups because we all use the same space, and also to have that resource and to have that connection to the administration," said Jacob Wolfsheimer '03, president of the Hillel Theater Group.

Because the Senate has seen how well the UTC has worked in the past, it is attempting to organize a similar umbrella organization for the martial arts clubs. "I think that I can safely say each group will blossom ... I truly believe the martial arts group would see the same blossoming," Nekoukar said.

Jason Goldsmith '06, president of the Wun Hop Kuen Do club, is heading this move towards consolidating the martial arts clubs on campus. "We'd all stay recognized (under the umbrella organization), but instead of every club having their own funding, there'd be a general pool of funding for each club, and a general access to equipment," Goldsmith said.

Goldsmith added that the consortium will also help alleviate some of the school's funding problems while creating convenience for each of the martial arts clubs. "The Senate is worried we're being a drain on funding to each other and to the other clubs," he said. "(The umbrella organization) will make sure resources are shared and it will be easier to get funding, share and talk to each other."

Not all martial arts club presidents said they agree with the consortium plan, however. "In the short term, it would save the Senate money, but later, equipment would wear down and would have to be replaced more often," said David Silver '03, president of the Tae Kwon Do club. "With a lot of people using (the same mats or heavy bags), the life expectancy would decrease."

Daniel E. Cohen '91, chief instructor of the Brandeis Kokundo Academy, offered his club's official reaction to the consortium idea. "We understand the financial pressures the Senate currently faces in funding the wide variety of campus organizations," Cohen said. "While we applaud increased communication between clubs and with the Senate itself, an umbrella martial arts organization for purposes of allocations, organization and leadership would be horrible for the campus and disastrous to the clubs."

Tim Craig '03, president of the Kung Fu San Soo and Aikido clubs, said he agrees with Cohen and Silver, protesting the Senate's dismissal of acknowledging the diversity of the martial arts. "By combining all of the martial arts clubs, the student government is showing its lack of tolerance for diversity," Craig said. "Different martial arts teach an immensely diverse set of beliefs. Combining all of the rich diversity we have here on the Brandeis campus into a nameless, faceless entity would be a crime."

Karate club presidents met yesterday to discuss the consortium idea. The majority were opposed. Club Resources Coordinator Nate Westheimer '05 said an umbrella scheme should be a voluntary choice for the karate clubs. "I would be very much opposed to any sort of forced consolidation made by the Senate ," he said.

Another initiative the Senate is exploring is the possibility of consolidating all club sports teams into one umbrella organization. "We're hoping that all the sports teams grouped together can better share resources," Westheimer said.

The organization would consist of an unofficial body of sports team captains meeting together, working to share resources and lobbying for Allocations Board funding, according to Westheimer.

This idea, however, is still in its initial stages, and is raising questions, even among Senate members.

"The ramifications and consequences of (a club sports consortium) seem less clear-cut," Nekoukar said. "How do you decide which sport receives the largest budget to work with? Whereas the martial arts groups may all use at least some of the same equipment, different sports teams use none of the same equipment. Rugby and lacrosse? No. Frisbee and hockey? Not a chance.