Letter to the editor

Senate committees need better leaders

Student Senate has ignored student needs. By combining the Women’s Initiatives and Diversity Issues Committees into a single committee, the Senate has effectively told a significant number of students on campus that their issues are not that important to their representative body. The idea of combining the two committees was intended to strengthen their drive and accomplish more goals. Instead, the new combined committee will have an even larger task. Student Senate committees do not need huge numbers to achieve a positive change on campus. They need dedicated leaders who will bring forth issues and concerns from students and bring those concerns to the Student Senate. The Senate should have more faith in itself and understand the responsibilities of the committees. Rather than give the committees and their appointed directors an opportunity to even consider the issues which affect our campus, the Student Senate made a rash decision and combined the two. Part of fostering new campus leadership includes allowing the leaders in place the opportunity to make change.

There is a bright side, however. Because the changes implemented required a bylaw change (the governing documents which Senate must follow), the combining of the two committees cannot become effective until the next year. I hope the newly elected members of Student Senate strongly consider whether throwing more people in to address a problem is a true solution. I encourage Senate to reconsider its position on this matter and develop a strong base so all issues can be addressed. In my time as a committee director and President of the Senate, I have seen students accomplish fantastic things when given the opportunity.

Joseph Eggers
Student