In 095 Overman Hall where geology class would normally take place, a group is looking to leave its own impression on the University and try to make it as historical as any fossil discussed in that room. Every Thursday, the Coalition for Undergraduate Student Government Reform meets to talk about their discontent toward USG leaving students’ voices unheard, especially in the case over the Stroh Center. When USG passed the legislation requiring future students to pay $60 to fund approximately two-thirds of the $34 million cost for the Stroh Center, the coalition was displeased students did not have a voice in the matter. On March 6, the coalition had its coming out party to counter USG’s resolution. The coalition acquired 1,262 signatures, almost double the amount needed to put USG’s original decision to an undergraduate vote.’ ‘As far as installing the referendum, the rally was a gigantic success,’ founder of the coalition Steve Currie said. ‘It was good for free speech and success in students getting involved.’ The group is not just standing idle as there is more to accomplish as they are adamant about getting as many people out to the polls on Friday as possible. Without 10 percent of the undergraduate body, the vote will be void and USG’s original decision will stand. This is why the group feels they need promote the vote as much as possible to show students on campus are concerned about major issues directly involving them. ‘Voter education is a very high priority. Not just to get people to know the facts so they can make an informed decision, but know when the referendum is [and] how to access the vote,’ Currie said. ‘We need to get people plugged in so they can have their voice heard,’ he said. Getting voices heard is exactly how to avoid the current corruption certain coalition members currently feel about USG. ‘There are numerous problems within USG that need to be addressed,’ coalition member and Danni McConnell said. Some of these problems include multiple senators missing meetings and not fulfilling office hours causing many of the coalition members to question some of USG’s responsibility McConnell said. ‘USG has the potential to really be the voice of the student body and educate themselves on what the student body desires and what is best, but they simply are not doing that,’ she said. ‘There is a lack of effective communication,’ Currie said. Even though students have to be knowledgeable on subjects directly impacting them, it is USG’s job to get the word out more effectively then they have done so in the past Currie said. ‘We take a realistic stance, students are at fault, but so is USG.’ ‘If they are not committed to the position, get them out. It’s my feeling that their needs to be more structure there; that if senators keep neglecting to serve their hours, they need to be removed completely from the senate,’ coalition member Joe Edens said. While stating problems is one thing, the coalition is not just standing idle. McConnell and Edens are two of eight members within the coalition running for senatorial positions in next month’s election. By running for these open seats, coalition members will try to have the other senators remember initially why they are serving in the first place. With a group in place, it can almost help put pressure on USG-a group all students want to see succeed McConnell said. Staying true to the coalition’s values, Edens will make sure the he gets opinions from as many people as possible, and if elected to the senate, continue to dedicate himself to serve the students. ‘It is the most important aspect of this position: to talk and receive the opinions of as many constituents as possible,’ he said. ‘I think my dedication and my passion for this position has been a beacon through this campaign. And Edens will help try to spurn his motivation back onto the students and USG members alike to install passion about issues on campus. ‘ ‘If the members of the USG cannot be passionate, how can they expect the students to be?’ Edens asked. While values will be taken into the senate from coalition members, it is still undecided if the group will exist past this year. Activism will always be needed, and in a time when students have been more involved than most faculty and staff members can remember, Currie feels there is always a need to have caring individuals on the outside looking in. ‘The coalition will have to grow a new breed of leaders and there are some,’ Currie said. ‘As long as there is government screwing up, there will be someone pissed about it and eventually when enough people get pissed, someone stands up.’
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Coalition for USG Reform aims to empower students’ voices
March 26, 2009
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