Statler & Waldorf is a wonderfully colorful publication. Just this past week, I found myself picking up a copy to read during my nightly dinners at the Commons. Upon flipping through the pages and skimming articles, I found one particular essay that caught my attention. It claimed that the Senate was incompetent.
I refuse to support or deny this claim, however I have many friends who keep telling me “Jake, why do you keep doing this? It is a waste of time. Student Government does nothing for us!” That may be true, at least partially. Student Government simply cannot operate to its fullest when its very constituents do not believe in it.
Why do students see their government as a fraud? I believe the root of the problem lies in the lack of a visible product. Each year, like clockwork, Student Government bodies will feign an attempt to solicit feedback. Those who make an honest attempt collect stacks of data while others ignore most of the comments they receive. Each and every student would expect a product to be produced from this “feedback,” but this has not happened. Instead, information is collected, reports are generated, and nothing happens.
The weakness this has caused between constituents and representatives is devastating. Just last year, we watched as the Student Senate produced motions declaring the new Commencement and graduate tuition policies unjust. What did the administration do in light of these rulings? Absolutely nothing. Similar to the laborers on campus, the administration seeks to take advantage of the students. They have spotted our weaknesses, and have chosen to ignore us—because they can.
With this article I am imploring both students and representatives to halt this divisive trend now! We cannot afford to use student government as a “resume building” experience. Government needs to produce a product based on the feedback they already have. Likewise, we, as students, cannot afford to ignore government and lose our representation.
The Independent Council stands with the students. It is our objective to produce results within our scope, as defined by our constitution. Our new website is coming online, and we are now making use of our poster board space in the Union. Visit us and see what we are doing. Tell us what you want, and you will receive direct attention. Reconstruction will start here.
