Perhaps a result of poor advertising and timing, the 10 participants at the SG diversity panel last Friday were already members of the Student Government. But Friday night's fiasco is also yet another example of how the SG executive board is not representative of the student body.
President Joe Vidulich, Vice President Jeff Hanley, Comptroller David Teslicko and Secretary Alex Manzanares started the year. After Manzanares' resignation in September, Vidulich appointed Cait Douglas as secretary with the approval of the Senate. Douglas' appointment began talk of increasing diversity on the executive board, as she became the only woman in a previously all-male group. Now, with Hanley and Teslicko resigning to study abroad in the spring semester, the Vidulich government finds itself forced to replace two top-level executives on short notice, and diversity has once again returned to the foreground.
Still, the campus remains disinterested in greater SG participation. Out of an undergraduate body of nearly 6,000 students, only about one-third of the AU undergrad population votes for the four executive board members who run the Student Government, according to Student Advocacy Center Director Rick Edwards.
Perhaps this lack of interest contributes to SG problems with recruiting new members. Douglas was a SG insider, and if the diversity panel was any indicator, the replacements for vice president and comptroller will most likely be affiliated with the SG as well.
The SG, especially Women's Initiative, has made admirable steps to increase diversity on the board through panel discussions and programs like Campaign College. However, poor advertising and an atmosphere of inefficiency may prevent SG outsiders from stepping forward. While it's commendable the SG is attempting to attract new voices and fresh ideas, without a serious re-examination of its marketing and advertising, the full engagement of campus seems improbable.
