Each semester, as we walk down the stairs to the basement of the University Co-op hoping that our books will cost less than last time, we are greeted by the life-sized cutout of the current student body president. But what does this position mean? Why does it warrant a life-sized cutout? What does Student Government really do?
I could give you a laundry list of projects and initiatives that Student Government has helped to bring to fruition — the E-bus, various student buildings around campus or even the two dead days before finals, to name a few — to convince you of the importance of a student voice at the University, but it wouldn’t do justice to the organization or the opportunity that every student has to effect change. Simply put, Student Government is the first place to start when it comes to impacting our campus.
Student Government can only be true to its mission — “to earnestly represent the interests of students” — if students participate. In recent SG elections, many positions have been left vacant due to lack of interest. In the same vein, a ticket system has discouraged students to stand up to a well-funded, organized group with deep roots in the campus’ governing body. This year’s election reforms, such as minimizing the number of representatives to create competition and increase accountability and ending the ticket system, resolve those issues. With this restructuring, SG now more than ever requires the initiative of students to run and compete in order to make students’ voices heard on this campus. Being a part of SG is a chance to reach out to other students to solve the issues facing us each day, such as the cost of education, student life issues and academics.
I implore you to take the fervor of this year’s national electoral process to our own community — the University. It’s a place where your ideas and initiatives can truly result in action and meaning in your everyday life.
In March, SG will be holding its election. In hopes to make these elections as fair and accessible as possible, there will be election forums outlining the process and running procedures facilitated by SG. The first forum will be held tomorrow, Nov. 20th at 8 p.m. in UTC 3.122.
Castetter is SG’s membership coordination director and a Latin American Studies junior.
