Here's my idea: Let's stop talking about stupid emails, and let the candidates run. And let the students vote. The BOE is nothing but a waste of precious oxygen. Seriously, what kind of person would want something as arbitrary as a spot on the AUSG's Board of Elections? Four fine candidate have stepped up because they want to lead the SG. All we have seen since then is stupid bureaucracy by people that think they are important. Fuck it. Let them run, let us vote. And shut up.
If there were any students left that had any respect at all for the SG, they are gone. This sham "organization" can't even pull off an election. They don't deserve our respect.
The Eagle said it quite eloquently in their most recent editorial: "The SG has strayed ever further away from its mission to represent and advocate for the students of AU." I didn't think it was possible, but it is true.
Something needs to change. We, the student of American University, pay a ton of money to be here. We deserve robust student representation. Yet all that we have had in the entire time that I have been a student here is a bunch of SPA kids that will never be elected to any real office living out their dream of being significant in the AUSG.
What do you have for me, candidates? Are you in line with this system? Is this the AUSG you want representing us? I want to hear from you. Presumably, one of you will be in charge of this mess next year. What are you going to do about it?
There is nothing wrong with the AUSG that cannot be fixed by what is right with the AUSG. There is no other organization that has the resources, the talent or the passion to play such an integral role in making this University better. In the beginning, we all sign up for these positions because we believe in that cause, making the university better. Somewhere along the line we've drifted, not all of us, just some. But then, I suppose all you need is one person to drift into a bitter and biting practice of self-interest to ruin the whole vision. So I guess in times like this, you've got to stand steadfast on those morals and values you ran on in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThis is our home away from home, and many of us love it here regardless of what the SG has done. And when we look back on these years, many of us won't remember the great times we had because of what the SG did. This is because we have no reason to remember the role of this organization during the "great times." No, it'll be during the "bad times," when we're told we're "shit out of luck," because of a flooded floor, or stranded at a hospital with no way to get back, or unjustly punished because of an administrative policy. It'll be during those times, when the SG can step forward and address those direct needs that this organization will be remembered.
While we're away from home, this is our home, and the SG is here to look out for each of us. Because it has to, because there will be times when no one else can. This is how we will fix what is broken; by actively finding those direct needs and doing something about them. Little by little we will work back the trust and respect of the students of this university. It'll take time and it won't be easy, but then, to endure such an arduous campaign as we have done... it's good to know we've at least got that unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.
The anger that I hear in the post to which I'm answering is one that is shared amongst the student body; it is a fury that the SG has failed to address or ameliorate. It is the voice of an electorate that is tired of a organization far removed from the purpose for which it was created; they are the words of students who care nothing for the regulations, bureaucracy, and processes that members of the Student Government create, but rather they care about the issues that affect them the most: the financial aid that isn't coming when needed, the on-campus housing that they can't find, and the administrators that seemingly never hear what students have to say.
ReplyDeleteThe Student Government, today, finds itself in crisis: an election unlike anything in the history of the SG threatens to tear the organization apart, eliminating the razor thin amount of legitimacy that this body has. The student electorate is either unaware due to the normal apathy, bewildered due to the ridiculousness of the situation, or disenchanted by the entire nature of the Student Government's work this year.
There are those that would say that "the SG is finished, what is there to salvage?" Others are trying to capitalize on the situation by utilizing such unfortunate events as a basis for advancing their own political aspirations, and then there are others that just want to know one thing: "what's going on? where is the organization that can stand for me?" I refuse to give up. I refuse to tarnish and let go of the legacy that students, before any of us, have worked hard to create on this campus.
I believe that this is the wake up call to which all parties involved should pay attention. Let me say this again: we don't have the faith of the student body, or if we did, we most certainly do not have it now. In systematically engorging ourselves in going through the motions of politics, we've (and I include myself as a member of the SG) forgotten the very foundation on which leaders are to be leading: to actively serve the members of the community in which they live.
Yet, there is hope. I believe that there must be a renaissance of true servant leadership in the SG. The Student Government can no longer afford to stew in the semblance of politics, but rather, the organization should be about the real business of helping students. Students deserve, want and need an organization on this campus that they can put their trust in, that they can depend on for service, integrity, and action. The next President of the Student Government must make a solemn promise to the student body; that promise must be one that dedicates them and the entire organization to service on the student level. It must be a promise that the Student Government seeks to earn respect of the student body and prove itself to be worthy of its faith and support.
Today, I refuse to let go of this organization; I refuse to concede that the Student Government is broken beyond repair. I do not entertain the image that together we can't fix what exists and mold it into an organization that we're proud to have on this campus.
I call upon the student body! Don't give up on the Student Government; don't let the legacy and tradition of student representation on this campus fail. I rally you to action. Bring about this renaissance, and demand that your leaders return to the first priority: an attitude of service dedicated to the student body.
Wow you guys are quick, I'm impressed.
ReplyDeleteI'm sick and tired of the bullshit that's being thrown around by the different candidates and from people within the Student Government. I'm sure all of us want to make AU a better place, but I have very different opinions on how to turn this around. I find it comical how the two candidates above me mentioned that we need to focus on "fix what is broken" and talked about what is wrong with the SG without proposing any solid solutions.
ReplyDeleteIt troubles me a great deal to say all of this, and I hope none of you take it personally. The truth is that your rhetoric is great, but your lack of solutions for fixing the SG's horrendous outreach efforts is sad. Reflecting on what Anthony said above, people gave up on the SG a long time ago. These election problems are just the nails in the coffin. If any candidate wants to actually bring change to this organization, come up with a plan on how you're actually going to bring about change. I certainly have. It's called bringing in new people who haven't been around the in-fighting and personal promotion that the SG has seen for too long. The same people who have been in the SG for years cannot simply switch positions when a new election comes up. New ideas and fresh solutions come from students who represent AU's many organizations and diverse student population. We can't fix things like the horrible email sent out trying to hurt Nate, but we need to change our attitudes and approaches to the issues. I want to hear the other candidates speak out on how their new SG is going to be vastly different from what we already have (if that's what you're campaigning on). If you want to talk about change, I challenge you to define it.
Seth, your plan is as shallow of a solution as the rest. You say "bring in new people." HOW do you plan to find people to comprise 50% of your cabinet, as you said in the debate? Are you going to find juniors and seniors, who are both completely apathetic towards student government and completely overcommitted, or freshman and sophomores with no experience in SG, no idea how Student Activities functions and how to get things done. The learning curve in SG is steep. The reason why we have patronage, if you want to call it that, is because people learn from their predecessors.
ReplyDeleteHiring over-eager freshmen, although it's worked in some situations (Kent Hiebel, for one, has been an outstanding Communications Director; Anthony, in his freshman year, was an outstanding Parliamentarian and Speaker), it clearly comes with a lot of risk.
Outreach and recruitment is great, but name me other organizations, or even, in your fraternity, how many freshmen hold high level leadership positions. I assume there aren't many. Freshman spend their first year learning and their second year leading. That's just how it works.
I agree SG has tons of issues. But be honest--don't campaign as an agent of change when in reality it's not feasible.
Josh, your attitude is exactly what's wrong with the SG. Assuming that reaching out to campus organizations and students would fail is simply wrong. I truly believe that if we reach out to students, they'll respond. This hasn't been done well enough in the past and thus we have no results to compare this to. There are plenty of leaders in clubs and organizations on campus who simply don't get involved in the SG because they know it's a ton of bureaucracy and in-fighting that they don't want to deal with. If you change that, you bring in new people. The learning curve is steep, but I don't think we're letting incompetent people attend this school. Looking through the lens of the SG's past efforts doesn't allow you to see where the SG can go; it only holds you back from realizing its potential.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I've stood idly by and allowed your comments, Mr. Rosenstein to fly in the face of what's true for quite some time; however, today is where I take a stand on the ridiculousness that you're spouting and how you're utilizing this unfortunate situation as a springboard for an asinine and legitimately flawed plan for improving the Student Government.
ReplyDeleteLooking over your two statements, here, I find your pessimism astounding. For someone who wants to change the SG, you have shown no actual belief in what it can do. Your campaign basically states that "I am the only way the organization will work, I am the missing cog, and put me in and the SG will actually do something." You've run your campaign bashing an organization that you, yourself are a part of, and by the same token, you have (as I'm sure we all have) contributed to the very mess that you seek to "clean up."
Your idea on bringing in "fresh faces" is not a novelty on this campus; your constant declaration of a "new way forward by bringing in people untainted by SG in-fighting" demonstrates a level of ineptitude in the actual history of the SG, that borders on the imbecilic. The Student Government has ALWAYS pushed for new members: at every summer orientation and new student programs event. They've created ways for people to get involved electronically, and as Speaker, my inbox was filled with students wanting to get involved and many of them did - including you.
You also reference people who have been the SG for years, cycling from one position to another. As a candidate for President, one would think that there would be some semblance wanting of the preservation of tradition and legacy and the continuance of the essence of what the organization stands for; however under your plan, it would be a tumultuous, constant turnover of new ideas with none of them being anchored by experience and knowledge about what has been done. Specifically, considering that you have only served in the SG for a little over six months, I understand, while at the same time lament your extreme lack of experience or knowledge in the capabilities, history, or accomplishments of the SG.
Seth, I truly do respect you as a talented individual and a fellow Eagle; however, you cannot possibly tell me that you want the best for the SG when you a) don't have the knowledge or experience to know what that is, b) present the very organization you're a part of as something beyond repair, and c) you have utterly failed to show how you have worked to actively change this during your term in office, beyond rhetoric stating "you all take yourselves too seriously."
I have two years of cooperation with the SG and other student organizations and students on this campus, as does Nate and Nirvana. We've worked hard to improve this young organization, and even though we acknowledge its many flaws, we still believe that there is something fundamentally good in the SG and for two years we've been dedicated to fixing it for the future.
What have you done with your six months?
Anthony, I am not saying that "I am the only way the organization will work", rather that somebody needs to facilitate a change in how SG business is done. This requires a complete change in mindset, and you represent the old mindset of "let's fix what we have". We're way beyond fixing the SG; it's about rebuilding from the ground-up and it's obvious that you're not committed to that.
ReplyDeleteI commend you for your knowledge of Student Government history. Most students don't care about the SG's history. I doubt the majority of students believe we must embrace the SG's past to move forward. The past is irrelevant, and moving forward we need to completely change the SG into something that students can be proud of. The way it is now, students aren't proud and it's because of both personal and structural failures. I'm proud of my "extreme lack of experience or knowledge in the capabilities, history, or accomplishments of the SG". I haven't been around long enough to believe in the lie that the current system works.
My six months have been spent focusing on the issues that are most important to the students. Are you telling me that bills regarding bicycle racks on-campus, getting rid of paper evaluations, Zipcar for students under 21, lowering the price of parking and Greek houses on campus aren't issues that students care about? I definitely know they don't care more about issues that don't affect them like the Handverger impeachment trial and debate procedure.
Well of course the day I pick to actually sleep a little is the day that this all goes on. I guess it's probably my turn to chime in.
ReplyDeleteI would never have guessed when I joined the AUSG three years ago, that I would be in this situation right now. I mean, running for President, I knew was a high possibility as every year I learned more about the SG, its individual offices, and the things that could be fixed had their been better oversight.
Admittedly, it's been hard to run a powerful campaign, which I'd eagerly worked for weeks prior. I even committed myself to staying in DC over Spring Break in order to take more meetings with AU departments and to prepare myself for the work needed to really do my best this week. I have bags of "stuff" sitting on my bedroom floor. This "stuff" was to go out Wednesday morning, but when I woke up I received my email of disqualification. Since then, I've been working tirelessly (which is why I only just got to work on responding to your post) to get my name back on the ballot. It is not because I want to be a part of making a mockery out of the AUSG, but because I know what's fair.
How do I know what's fair as opposed to anyone on the BOE or Judicial Board? Well, my freshmen year I was running for 2011 VP when two of my friends were running on a ticket for 2011 Senate seats. They received a violation for posting their Facebook group early and so were required to delete their groups immediately. When I realized this happened I decided to file a complaint against myself, because I had done the same without realizing.
My first piece of evidence to the Judicial Board was a letter from Amy McConnel, Board of Elections Chair my freshmen year, stating:
"In their e-mail, Ms. Habash and Mr. MacCracken noted that they were not coming forward out of fear that they would be complained against, rather they felt they were bound by principle to come forward. The Board certainly appreciates the honesty and willingness to take responsibility of both candidates, and I would like to note that without their coming forward, [they] would likely have incurred no penalty."
So while I am deeply frustrated as to what this election has turned into (a lot of bickering and not enough talk about the issues); I express no apologies for my continual efforts to reclaim my spot on the ballot. It has taken away a lot from my ability to "campaign", but if I lose because of that I will at least be able to sleep at night knowing that I was trying to right a wrong (or twenty wrongs) that were put in place against me.
I love the Student Government, that's why I'm running-- but I will not settle down and let others tarnish my reputation as someone who might be dishonest.
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ReplyDeleteIt's also a gross a generalization to claim that the SG as a whole is dysfunctional. I believe that people in the SG are dysfunctional. It is quite possible that these dysfunctional people make all the noise and hence give the SG a bad reputation. I agree that there is a need for fresh perspective. Which is why I have been openly reaching out towards leaders of other organizations about considering to use that leadership within the AUSG. They all nearly keel over at the thought of entering into "the system" but after speaking to them it's made very clear-- it will only get better with better people involved.
I think the fact that (at least some) of the candidates see this same problem, that there are good odds we can go about fixing it next year. Over the summer, the SG President plays an integral role in New Student Orientation. Last year, I delivered the "get involved" presentation alongside Andy MacCracken. It was a great way to introduce students into life at AU, and they were eager to hear more about the SG. I plan on continuing to make these students feel at home at AU the minute they step onto this campus over the summer. I have seen amazing leadership come out of freshmen at AU and with the right direction they can use that leadership in their future years in higher positions.
My life goal is not, nor has it ever been, to be a politician. Ask anyone who knows me. I've been involved in Student Government since my high school years and it's the one place I ever felt like I could make some changes for my peers. If elected, I have the utmost confidence in my ability to revitalize our campus community from the ground up. Maybe that's our biggest fault-- we think the only way to make our campus better is through the AUSG, but I know there are so many other ways to go about improvement. Like school spirit through Blue Crew or political activism through the College Democrats and College Republics. That's why I'm committed to fostering better relationships with all of these organizations.
The AUSG might give itself too much credit, but there are people who are truly fighting for you. Those are the people I plan on working with.
I know Anthony addressed this, but I'd like to give him my support: Seth, why are you so different from the rest of us? What else do you do without Student Government? Your fraternity? Because I'm in a sorority, and I play an intramural sport, and I am involved in Women's Initiative, and I am Safe Space Trained through the GLBTA Resource Center, and I have worked for Housing and Dining as well as New Student Orientation, AND so much more over the last three years. That's just me, the other two candidates (Nate and Anthony) are similarly involved in other organizations unrelated to the AUSG. Which, if anything proves that we are not just blindly focused on working our way up the AUSG ladder. In all honesty, having been involved with so many different organizations and meeting leaders on this campus who have varying needs for change by the AUSG is precisely what got me to run. I've mentioned it before but my roommate of three years has also been the President of her Club Athletics team and I've always been so upset for her because she has to work a thousand times harder to get funding than anyone in AUSG has to for their budget. This is what inspired me to promise to look into the future budget allocations between the AUCC, AUSG and the Media Board.
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ReplyDeleteReforming practices in the abroad office, or supporting the vision of Women's Initiative for a Women's Resource Center-- that comes from my personal experiences when utilizing these offices. I did not just sit down and consider "what sounds good enough to be on my platform". I thought, what's been a problem since my freshmen year that HAS NOT CHANGED now at the end of my junior year. From the shuttle to eco-friendly courses, and essentially trying to cost-cut and reassess our spending overall. There's no way I would have any true understanding of the issues had I only relied on living in a bubble within the AUSG.
Finally, I'd like to say that throughout the last few days I've felt differently walking through the second floor of MGC (where the AUSG offices are housed). Not only do I feel unwelcome, I feel the need to consider "do I really want to be a part of this". And the trick is realizing that it's (some) of the people I don't want to be involved with, not the organization.
Any great leader can see there is a difference between professionalism and friendship. Most of my friends have either never been involved with or have drifted far apart from the AUSG. That's always been their personal choice, but it's an advantage for me because they've always been able to keep my level-headed and remind me of what's actually important to the students. The key to developing relationships with other members of the AUSG is that we're all mature adults and I plan on working well with everyone in the AUSG until we're on the same page to start forging a more prosperous and committed organization.
But first, I'd like my name on the ballot. Apparently, so would the College Democrats. And, according to what they've been saying, so do my three opponents.
I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW LONG THIS COMMENT WAS GOING TO BE! Sorry!
Nirvana - I didn't read much of your book, but I would like to pose a question.
ReplyDeleteHow can you defend you decision to bring Student Conduct charges against the Judicial Board Chairwoman. According to the eagle, and that's all I can read, you claim she is intimidating you. Don't you think that is a little lame. You seem to take offense at her decision so you are doing everything to take her down, correct me if I am wrong.
You action to attack the her seems to me a complete disregard for the rules of Student Government, showing me you neither respect nor intend to follow the regulations under which you will take office. You are an embarrassment.
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ReplyDeleteNirvana, there's only one thing that sets me apart from you, Anthony and Nate in this election: I want to completely change how the SG works while all of you want to try and fix it within the existing structure. Besides that, there isn't anything drastically different between all of us. We agree on most of the issues and I deeply respect all of you. I just have a difference of opinion.
ReplyDeleteJack, I'll answer any question you have once you identify yourself. Right now you're anonymous. Which probably means you either 1) are scared of me or 2) don't like people knowing who you are. Both of those possibilities make you much more of an embarrassment than your comments about me ever will. Especially because I'm rather small, so I don't know what would be so scary about me.
ReplyDeleteSeth, I just talked to you and told you this so I'll post it here too. If you think that's the way to do it and feel that you are capable of making such changes in that way, then I will be the first to shake your hand if it works. I just see a different solution to the problem.
The problem with your opinion, Seth, is that you base it upon a fundamental, but not suprising lack of knowledge on what the President of the Student Government, actually does does.
ReplyDeleteThe President can't change the structure of how things work; there are documents, legislation, and precedent that forms that structure. If you want to change the structure of how business is carried out, I would suggest you plan your Senate race.
Yet, what the President can do is to change the way in which that structure is implemented and the direction, tone, and manner by which the essential mission of the Student Government is carried out. Changing structure is the province of the Senate, and again, you've failed to even identify how you've help to create a structure that works. Hiding behind the bills and resolution that you've written, which in fact, didn't provide much more information i.e. research administrators can actually use than the fact that such needs to happen (which in the case of the bike racks, happened during winter break before that bill was written), is not going to be enough to disguise the fact that all you've done in this election, and during your term in office for that matter, is denounce the very structure that you took an oath to uphold.
Until one actually understand what the Presidency is actually about, and in my book, uphold the oath of office they take, they have and will have no legitimate claim to a better vision than any of the other candidates running.
There seems to be a mess here. The election regulations, which were put in place to assure a fair campaign and give every candidate an equal opportunity to speak, has led to a system that is mired in approvals, all night litigations and a ton of stress over procedure. I imagine the senate will be taking up election reform next year.
ReplyDeleteBut right now is an election season, and there's been tons of chaos. But students need a president next year. The SG President is the ambassador of students to the AU Administration. That president needs time to hire directors who can do their jobs-- run AUTO, organize Founder's Day, run Artemis Ward Week. Each of those tasks takes organized preparation. SG failed this year because there wasn't enough prepartion or planning-- dates for events kept shifting, staff for events kept changing, and there wasn't enough oversight from the managers or Senate to keep everyone on track.
So let's have an election. Let students pick a winner. Personally, I think Nirvana's punishment was grossly out of porportion: for 20 emails her name was removes from 6000 ballots. I think removing Nate's name doesn't help either. The overriding principal should be fairness to the students who choose to vote-- I say either have all 4 names on the ballot or none.
Anthony, you're free to state your opinion and that's what makes America great. It's sad that you'd are defending an institution that clearly needs significant change, but if that's how you feel preach it. I'm tired of your long-winded comments that basically say the same thing over and over, so have a good evening. I'm headed to bed. Goodnight everyone!
ReplyDeleteSam,
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the most common misinterpretations about the Student Government. The President is not in charge of any of the three things you listed and does not hire the directors for AUTO, Founders Day, or Artemis Ward/Spring Fling. The Vice President is in charge of Programming, including Founders Day, Spring Fling and Artemis Ward Week. AUTO falls under the purview of the Comptroller. While the President is the most common person that the students associate with the Student Government, he is not directly in charge of these events. To ensure these events happen, you should talk to the Vice President Candidates or the Comptroller candidates (I am the only candidate on the ballot) about suggestions or questions about the programs.
My god, who the hell cares about this stuff (well, I do, apparently)?
ReplyDeleteI'm voting for Nate, but it seems like everyone is just interested in shitting on Nirvana at this point. It's fuckin SG people - get over yourselves.
Stay strong Nirvana