The editorial a few weeks ago concerning Penny Tilghman's resignation struck me. How can you blame the students for the resignation of an SGA official? It was made clear in that same issue that it was the inner squabbling and miscommunication in the SGA that led to Tilghman's resignation.
Yes, maybe Tilghman wasn't able to accomplish what she wanted to get done because it seemed that students had an apathetic view, but I personally feel that in general students are not as apathetic as the editorial suggested.
It seems to go back to the miscommunication among the community as a whole. I can't think of any time when any SGA officer came to me and tried to get me involved or get my opinion. Students are expected to go to their officers and express their opinions, but officers are often not as accessible as one would think.
Students begin to feel that there is no point to being involved because their opinions don't matter and then nothing comes together. Take for example the junior class elections last year. Only one person ran for any of the offices. The only reason there even was an executive board for the class was because of write in ballots.
I disagree with accusations in the editorial that students showed up at the first SGA senate meeting for pure voyeuristic enjoyment. I think they were there to discover what was going on, because many people don't know what is happening in the SGA. Senators may mail out minutes from the meetings, but oft times the minutes say very little of what actually goes on.
The editor accused students of not being involved. Give students something they are concerned about and they will support it. Remember the music rally two years ago? Students were out in the pouring rain fighting for the arts programs at this school. They performed and spoke their views on the need to continue to fund the arts. What was the overall turnout of their hard work? Nothing. The officials and big wigs did nothing but brush aside the protests and did what they thought was best. If you want to know where the deaf ear lies or why students continue to be so apathetic, look to the top, because that is where the greatest lack of communication lies.
It's up to everyone to go out there and make a difference. I say that students should no longer rely on the SGA or other campus officials to come through for them, but take things into their own hands. They should go to their officers and say that they are willing to help get things done. It is clear that many SGA officials get too lost in their inner conflicts to follow through with their jobs. So it is up to the students to take a more active roll in their decisions and their school. It may fall on the deaf ears of the administration, but it must be made clear that we will not go away until we have made a difference.
Chris Kennedy
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