2008 Woodie Awards
New Program Board structure an attempt to free it from political pressuring
Steven Glenn
Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: News
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The Associated Students of ISU Program Board is charged with the difficult tasks of providing entertainment and education to the students of ISU.
Over the years, the Program Board has faced challenges in being a part of ASISU. A number of times in the past, the ASISU student governments have tried to restrict or tell the Program Board what is acceptable and what is not.
The ASISU Senate tried to regulate the Program Board years ago, when they brought in an NC-17 rated movie to the Bengal Theater. More recently, when last year's guest speaker, former foreign service diplomat Joseph Wilson, was brought in, ASISU Senators tried to force the Program Board to bring in a conservative to balance the political backgrounds of speakers coming to ISU.
According to Jason Schlegel, Advisor to the Program Board for the last two years, some programmers on the board have been making decisions based on the political environment on campus, and not necessarily based on what is best for the students.
"What is best for learning opportunities, what is best for true student development, what is best for building a community on campus… should not be based on politics," said Schlegel.
He went on to talk about the breakdown of the campus, illustrating the different religious beliefs of students as an example.
"Even though there is one dominant [religious] group on campus doesn't mean that others don't deserve to have a connection to that campus as well," said Schlegel.
All of this has brought about the need for some changes in the Program Board structure; changes that were first talked about by ASISU President Ryan Sargent during his campaign last year.
"What we are trying to accomplish is a system that allows the Program Board to be dynamic, innovative and able to change," said Sargent. "…A system that allows the Program Board more autonomy from the political aspects of ASISU."
Sargent added that with the changes that have been made, the programmers and Program Board chair have greater responsibility, and cannot blame the structure anymore.
Over the years, the Program Board has faced challenges in being a part of ASISU. A number of times in the past, the ASISU student governments have tried to restrict or tell the Program Board what is acceptable and what is not.
The ASISU Senate tried to regulate the Program Board years ago, when they brought in an NC-17 rated movie to the Bengal Theater. More recently, when last year's guest speaker, former foreign service diplomat Joseph Wilson, was brought in, ASISU Senators tried to force the Program Board to bring in a conservative to balance the political backgrounds of speakers coming to ISU.
According to Jason Schlegel, Advisor to the Program Board for the last two years, some programmers on the board have been making decisions based on the political environment on campus, and not necessarily based on what is best for the students.
"What is best for learning opportunities, what is best for true student development, what is best for building a community on campus… should not be based on politics," said Schlegel.
He went on to talk about the breakdown of the campus, illustrating the different religious beliefs of students as an example.
"Even though there is one dominant [religious] group on campus doesn't mean that others don't deserve to have a connection to that campus as well," said Schlegel.
All of this has brought about the need for some changes in the Program Board structure; changes that were first talked about by ASISU President Ryan Sargent during his campaign last year.
"What we are trying to accomplish is a system that allows the Program Board to be dynamic, innovative and able to change," said Sargent. "…A system that allows the Program Board more autonomy from the political aspects of ASISU."
Sargent added that with the changes that have been made, the programmers and Program Board chair have greater responsibility, and cannot blame the structure anymore.
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