Because of a failure to submit the correct paperwork on time, the Off-Campus Student Union (OCSU) will not be considered for provisional status as a student group this semester.

The union was a platform goal of former Undergraduate Student Government (USG) President Rubina Javeri and Vice President Kris Ankarlo. Javeri and Ankarlo wanted to create the union to assist off-campus students with various legal, housing and consumer issues.

One of the main goals of the union is to offer free legal advice to students dealing with lease agreements and rental companies.

Paul Cronin, union president, submitted the organization's member lists and constitution to the USG Supreme Court in March.

But this year, the minimum membership requirement for groups to be recognized by the university was raised to 20 members and Cronin had to resubmit the member list. Because of the several senator resignations this semester, OCSU had trouble meeting this new requirement and Cronin did not resubmit the list by the Oct. 10 deadline.

It is unfortunate that confusion over paperwork has delayed the progress of the union.

It is also unfortunate that OCSU has not attracted enough members so that senator resignations would not affect the union's status.

This union was Javeri and Ankarlo's goal. Now that they are gone, it is understandable that members of the new executive branch are not fighting as hard for a platform initiative that is not their own.

But the idea for the union was a solid one and someone within USG or the community should step up and take more decisive action to make the OCSU a reality.

The OCSU can continue to operate without provisional status. But this status is vital to the long-term goals of the union. With provisional status, the union could apply for university funding, as other university-recognized organizations do.

Off-campus students often need assistance when dealing with housing and other legal matters.

OCSU members should not let paperwork stop them from offering the services they promised students.