Government has always been a crucial component to keep peace within society, and the theory is no different at the University with the Undergraduate Student Government. Acting as an influential government, accurately representing the student body and making rational decisions are the basis of USG’s mission statement. But in order to function as a coherent government, USG has to keep one particular group of people in mind throughout every decision: the students. ‘It’s our job to not only represent the student voice, but to proactively look for it,’ President of USG John Waynick said on the involvement of student government. Senators do not just vote strictly on their opinion. USG prides itself on getting informed opinions from as many students within a constituency. After collecting the necessary information, senators can make an informed decision on an issue. ‘It’s not them representing their opinions,’ Internal Affairs Committee Chair Leo Almeida said. ‘It’s whatever the opinion is of their constituents.’ ‘You have to go out and find the student voice,’ Waynick said. Within USG, senators represent constituents both on and off campus. There are also senators appointed to more specific areas, such as having each college represented by a USG senator. ‘We’re looking for the best members to represent people,’ Vice President Sundeep Mutgi said. Even though it seems like a great system, with any government, the public is quick to notice its faults and with this many people involved, problems are inevitable, especially when money is involved. Last month after senators took part in the Stroh Center vote, controversy swarmed throughout campus. Not only were people upset they would have to pay a future $60 fee for the new arena starting in 2011, but they felt USG did not represent the student body to the fullest of their extent. The Coalition for USG Reform organized shortly after USG’s decision on Feb. 23 declaring future students would have to pay the fee. The coalition was not upset over paying the fee, but the process in which the senators went out and got votes, and the fact that many were not able to vote due to not fulfilling required office hours mandatory for each member. Even though the group is suspicious of USG’s activity to the point where they formed a group to be the ‘watchdogs’ , it does not mean the student government is annoyed with the group’s presence. ‘I think it’s really exciting that we have such a large group of students that are really passionate about an issue,’ Almeida said. With the Stroh Center being a hot topic around the University, Almeida hopes there will always be students who care enough to voice their frustrations in a civil manner. ‘I hope they recruit more students to do that in the future,’ he said about the coalition. ‘If we could have two groups that come together and duke it out, I think that would be wonderful. That’s the purpose of a democratic government.’ But government cannot please everyone and Waynick is prepared to take on some resistance as being one of biggest figureheads at the University. ‘If you are not tackling issues to make one side angry, then you are not doing your job right,’ Waynick said. But for anyone to think USG acts corrupt while making decisions is uninformed about USG’s actual processes Advisor to USG Jill Carr said. ‘I have been advising USG for four years and never felt USG behaves unethical,’ she said. Carr said senators need to take their responsibilities very seriously and when they take their oath into office, senators have to stay true to their words from day one until the end of their term. ‘I think one thing we can always improve on is accountability,’ Almeida said. ‘You have to make sure that once those people take office, they are being held to responsibilities.’ Even with resistance from groups like the coalition, it does not mean USG has to lie down and take orders from a group challenging their values. ‘USG isn’t motivated by fear,’ Mutgi said. ‘What USG is motivated by is [what] will benefit the students. These are college students trying to help each other. The students are motivated by the desire to help out other people.’ While it’s impossible to please everyone, Waynick stands behind every USG decision due to each member being educated and able to discuss issues in a rational way he said. ‘I respect our entire USG government. I’m proud as hell of our USG,’ Waynick said.’
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USG’s responsibilities are to the students
March 25, 2009
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