Monday, November 10, 1997
USAC needs to reform its infrastructure
EDITORIAL: Disorganized nature of the council evident in its
bylaws, lack of student involvement
Half the quarter is already over. Students are already settled
in, but government is just staring to kick into gear. Six weeks
have gone by, but USAC has neglected some of the duties it should
have completed weeks ago.
USAC is off to its slowest start in years, as appointments for
the Finance Committee were just made last week. Election Board and
Judicial Board positions are still vacant. Also, it was not until
last week that USAC formally outlined its goals for the remainder
of the year. In the past, appointments for the committees have been
made a week or two before the quarter began, and at the latest in
the first or second week of the quarter.
In addition to poor organization and management, delays such as
this are attributed to the bylaws, which stand in the way of smooth
and efficient operations. In the bylaws, appointment of the Finance
Committee and Finance Committee Vice Chair is left up to the
Finance Committee Chair. As we’ve seen this year, these guidelines
need to be updated; if the one person in charge of making
appointments becomes ill, the appointments are delayed, and all
important items on the agenda get pushed back. This year’s delays
are demonstrate that the bylaws are in need of reform.
In spite of the problematic infrastructure within USAC, student
government officials have shown promising efforts. A few programs,
such as the self-defense class for women, extended child care
services and the book-lending program, are worthwhile causes that
are sure to benefit the student body.
USAC showed an interest in generating student involvement in
campus politics and government in its first-annual Welcome Week
celebration. The event gave students an opportunity to learn more
about government, and to encourage more students to
participate.
Student government can only work with student involvement. And
USAC has tried to rally students’ interest, but with dismal
success. Earlier this quarter, a USAC meeting was held in Dykstra
Hall, in which less than 10 students showed up. It’s up to students
to decide what type of role they want to play in government and
politics. The severe lack of student participation is a crippling
problem USAC must deal with.
One way to garner more student support is to refocus government
attention on smaller, on-campus issues affecting students on a
day-to-day basis.
If USAC would devote more of their energy on solving problems
close to students, such as parking troubles, campus fee hikes and
other general quality-of-life issues, they could accomplish more
and win more student favor. If students begin to feel the effects
of USAC’s programs and lobbying, they will gain more interest in
getting involved. Students aren’t interested in working for
something that never pays off. At the same time, USAC should try to
maintain a balance between those smaller on-campus issues and those
larger goals which may take more time to reach.
Now that USAC is finally up and running, there are many things
that need to be addressed. By tackling more feasible goals, they
can expect to win back the students’ faith in their
representatives.