USAC should wield power responsibly
The recent resignations of External Vice President Justin Hotter and General Representative Sanobar Sajan, and the process in which they will be replaced have left me frustrated and confused. As a student voter with a stake in who holds these positions, and one who actively researched the campaigns and slates to make an educated decision, I now ask myself, “Why?”
What do we say to Jeanalee Obergfell and Jesse Rogel? They were both candidates in last year’s election who put a great deal of time and effort into their campaigns for the now-vacated positions. They showed a strong willingness to do the job, but now must watch these positions be determined by a “brief and condensed” application. It seems very unfair.
I know a midterm election would be time-consuming and expensive, but I believe it to be the most legitimate way to replace these members. However, if election is impossible, the Undergraduate Students Association Council needs to find a method of replacement that involves more student involvement and knowledge as to who the candidates are who may eventually be responsible for allocating student fees.
Also, in the midst of these Daily Bruin comparisons of progress between slates and USAC members, I cannot see past some of the glaring irresponsibilities.
Aside from the fraudulent e-mails and one’s inability to follow through with his term, certain members have stated that projects such as putting textbooks online, increasing emergency call stations and constructing parking structures were infeasible after further research. Why didn’t this research take place before the campaign? Are our officers making wild promises during elections simply to gain votes?
I do commend most representatives for staying true to their campaign goals. There is no doubt there has been a lot of progress with our current representation. With all the recent turmoil, it is my hope that USAC can get back on the right track and students who feel as I do can regain trust in the system.
Julian Diaz
Fourth-year, history
Americans need to prioritize education
In Lina Chung’s article “Bush’s educational reforms leave many school districts behind,” the columnist seems to believe that the underlying predicament in renewing the No Child Left Behind legislation is the lack of “sufficient financial backing.” Diving deeper, however, one should attempt to question the true reason for American schools falling behind international standards: Is it the money or something else?
The legislation, in place since 2002, is up for renewal. The question seems to be: Why are the critics screaming? Apparently, as the article describes, the law hopes to attain “greener pastures of educational bliss without … financial resources.” But No Child Left Behind increased federal funding for reading programs in the President’s Reading First initiative by $600 million in 2002 and provided $2.8 billion for teacher quality programs .
In American society, where thousands, if not millions come in search of the American dream, the notion that education brings success does not take precedent. The media brags about success stories, rags-to-riches formulas, most of the time excluding the idea of education. One of the reasons other countries around the world score higher than the U.S. is because, for the kids there, education is the way out. Education will take them to foreign places, to better jobs, to freedoms never experienced. For them, education is the only way, the only hope.
The question here is not about federal funding or the teachers’ pay. It comes down to who is willing to trust the golden advice of our parents: Go to school. Why is it that when we don’t perform on par with standards, they lower the bars? Why aren’t those supposedly in charge of the well-being of children finding ways to motivate those struggling schools to reach higher?
We watch movies or TV shows that promote the message of having a dream and pursuing that dream. Not all those fanciful messages are falling on deaf ears, because there are some people listening, believing, and striving to educate themselves. Why aren’t the others following? Instead of pumping billions of dollars to try and better the failing schools, society as a whole should be investigating methods of instilling drive, focus and self-expectations into those students who are lagging behind. It is not about capability or federal funding, it is about overcoming personal inertia.
Judith Perera
First-year, political science