2008 Woodie Awards
To next year's ASISU student leaders
Steven Glenn
Issue date: 3/28/07 Section: Opinion
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This is for the next year's student government. Obviously, this is an opinion piece, and as such, is the opinion of the writer, and not the staff of The Bengal. If you have a problem with it, look me up. I'm in the book.
I have been involved with the ASISU student government for a number of years, and I have known the last four ASISU President fairly well. This year is the first year that I have been disappointed in the Senate. I have made a habit of speaking before the Senate over the years, bringing my concerns and ideas before the decision making body of ASISU. This year, it seemed that everything brought before the Senate fell on deaf ears, so to speak. In fact being at almost every Senate meeting, it seems to be quite a challenge for Senators to remember what was talked about from one week to the next.
So, I have decided to write some words to the ASISU student leaders of the next year. First of all: Think before you act and speak. If this year's Senate had just asked the right question with regards to the Student Recreation Center expansion, ('Do you want a Student Recreation Center expansion?') student government would not have wasted the majority of the year on that topic.
Talk to your constituents, and not just your friends. Our student leaders of this year repeatedly claimed that all of their constituents said they wanted to spend $80 more a semester on the Student Recreation Center expansion. However, when it came time to go to the polls, they were grossly mistaken. Just because those around you tell you it is a good idea, doesn't make it a good idea. Think for yourselves.
Senators, when students come to speak during Gallery Question & Answer, don't just give them lip service, actually listen to what they have to say. They are your constituents, and they have concerns. Oh, and by the way, those microphones are always on, and recording. Many times I have spoken to the senate, and later have listened to the recordings. I have found that some senators couldn't care less what I or anyone else has to tell them. The microphone picks up everything, and with computer technology, you can hear it clear as day.
I have been involved with the ASISU student government for a number of years, and I have known the last four ASISU President fairly well. This year is the first year that I have been disappointed in the Senate. I have made a habit of speaking before the Senate over the years, bringing my concerns and ideas before the decision making body of ASISU. This year, it seemed that everything brought before the Senate fell on deaf ears, so to speak. In fact being at almost every Senate meeting, it seems to be quite a challenge for Senators to remember what was talked about from one week to the next.
So, I have decided to write some words to the ASISU student leaders of the next year. First of all: Think before you act and speak. If this year's Senate had just asked the right question with regards to the Student Recreation Center expansion, ('Do you want a Student Recreation Center expansion?') student government would not have wasted the majority of the year on that topic.
Talk to your constituents, and not just your friends. Our student leaders of this year repeatedly claimed that all of their constituents said they wanted to spend $80 more a semester on the Student Recreation Center expansion. However, when it came time to go to the polls, they were grossly mistaken. Just because those around you tell you it is a good idea, doesn't make it a good idea. Think for yourselves.
Senators, when students come to speak during Gallery Question & Answer, don't just give them lip service, actually listen to what they have to say. They are your constituents, and they have concerns. Oh, and by the way, those microphones are always on, and recording. Many times I have spoken to the senate, and later have listened to the recordings. I have found that some senators couldn't care less what I or anyone else has to tell them. The microphone picks up everything, and with computer technology, you can hear it clear as day.
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