EDITORIAL: There Is A Point

Student government is powerless. So say the people on these pages and elsewhere at the University. Let's look at the validity of this statement. First, we are not a government. We are not the U. S. Congress. We have no power to pass binding laws on the students of the University. Rather, we are a lobbying group for students' issues. This is our source of power. Many people say the UA has no power because we don't have the ability to make "laws" for the University or the direct control of funding for student groups. However, this does not mean that the UA has no power. If you look at our accomplishments this year, just through our lobbying efforts, you can see that we can be a powerful force on campus. We have also accomplished over a dozen short-term goals this year. A movie theater is moving back to the old AMC Walnut thanks to our efforts. The elevators in the high rises will be renovated over the next three years partially because of our Residential Living Budget Report. Our Maple Report will change the way the computer program is used in the introductory calculus courses. We have lobbied to ban smoking in the Dining Halls and for fairness in the new judicial system. We have gotten fifty percent more representation for undergraduates on the University Council. The UA is still working on projects currently. In our last month in office, we will be working on getting a U. S. mailbox in the high rises, reforming escort services and reviewing the technology fees. Despite what you might read in the paper, we are still working hard. We also created Project 2000, which is a five year plan for undergraduate life with over twenty-five solid proposals detailing how to implement various ideas. Our Project 2000 paper will spark discussion and provide detailed plans for ideas such as a debit card, reforming the University budgeting practices and guidelines for a college house system. It will change the University for years to come. I could go on, but it would take up too much room. "The UA doesn't do anything" you say? Come on, look at the facts. The administration turns to the UA as the main voice of students on campus. While we are not the only voice of student opinion on campus, we are the only organization that represents all undergraduates. The administration pays attention to what we say, and often turns to us for the student perspective. Our power stems from this fact. Charges that the UA is somehow "corrupt" are ridiculous. The people on the UA are students, just like you, who go to classes and live in the same dorms as you. We are not these evil resume builders who don't care about student life. Many UA members work hours and hours each week to better student life. We have had our problems, but they have been grossly exaggerated by the press and the UA's enemies. Despite our recent attendance problems, we have been getting the job done as you can see from our list of accomplishments. The biggest enemy of the UA is apathy. Students who just think the UA is a joke or that it is totally irrelevant to their lives only diminish our power to lobby the administration. The more students get behind the UA's efforts, the more effective a lobbying organization we are. So what is the point of the UA? Student advocacy. Lobbying the administration on behalf of students. Setting up new programs to benefit students. Accomplishing goals. The 1994-1995 Undergraduate Assembly, for all of our problems, has done our job. We have gotten over a dozen short-term accomplishments and produced Project 2000. The UA, like all student governments, will continue to be ranked on by the press and by fellow students long after I am gone. Despite this constant barrage, the UA has gotten things done. So realize that there is a point to student government. And please realize the hard work and dedication of the large majority of UA members. We have made a difference this year and I am proud to have served as the chairperson of the most successful UA this decade.

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