In a little less than a month’s time, my days as an elected official in the SGA will be over.
My time as a senator has been rewarding in countless ways, and I plan to continue to serve through the remainder of my UA career. When I ran for SGA Senate in spring 2009, I did my best to make my campaign about the students of the business school, which is truly what every SGA campaign should be about. I never called it my campaign, I always referred to it as “our” campaign. This Senate has spent hours working on projects that reflect students’ interests. Currently, a committee is reviewing the SGA Code of Laws to ensure that we have the most ethical student government possible, and I am fortunate enough to serve on this very influential board.
Last night, with several co-sponsors, I presented a resolution that calls for an initiative to get students involved in SGA projects so that the SGA makes sure every venture it takes involves students and is done the right way. My fellow senators worked and will continue to work tirelessly on projects to serve each and every student at the Capstone.
A Web site called yourviewua.com, which is a site with surveys looking to gauge student opinion, was publicized on the front page of The Crimson White in November. The number of visits since then: 63. Just 63 visits.
It seems the only time anyone gets excited about SGA is when it breaks one of its own bylaws, not when it looks to serve your interests. I rarely heard from anyone outside of SGA about SGA matters until “Pasadenagate”. I was disappointed, as many students were, but with my fellow senators we tackled the issue. We had a lot of people holding up the constitution threatening impeachment, but not one set of impeachment papers were submitted. Why? If it meant that much to these people, why not?
I know several of the incoming senators and executives, and if you call on them with your opinion they will certainly take it to heart. If they do not take the time to communicate with you, then hold them to the fire.
It is your duty to do so, do not shy away from it. After reviewing the election numbers of Tuesday, it seems that many people who complained about the SGA throughout the past year did not vote. At 8,099 votes of 28,000 plus, the students voice cannot be heard wholly.
Everyone should be totally embarrassed and totally ashamed with this outcome. I, with so many others, want this campus to move in the right direction, and this cannot happen without everyone’s voice at the table. Your opinion matters, make sure you take every opportunity to voice it loud and clear.
Don’t just jump on negative issues, but be part of what is positive about your most powerful representing body here at the Capstone, the SGA.
John Anselmo is a junior majoring in economics and political science.
