After reading Ashley Dejean’s AWOL article, entitled “The Boys Club: Our Male-Dominated Student Government and Why it Matters,” it is my belief as an Undergraduate Senator (and I should note I speak only for myself) that there is more that the Undergraduate Senate can do to address limited diversity in leadership positions. I firmly believe that the disproportionate number of males is an important problem that needs addressing.
But, in order to solve this problem, we must focus on reaching out to the campus community. Last year, the Undergraduate Senate was tarnished by the cutting (though mostly failed) of Women’s Initiative’s funding, as well as a general disconnect with the student body. The students had little faith in our abilities, but we have worked to change this and we must continue to do so. The Senate has taken a two-pronged approach to solving the problems of diversity and our reputation: a Senate Outreach Program and Senator Tim McBride’s diversity committee.
Focusing on the past does not do the Senate justice. This year, with new talent, we have improved beyond all expectations. The Sixth Undergraduate Senate has been the most productive and campus focused session yet. Not only have we dramatically advanced the Student Government’s internal procedures, but we have assisted in bringing back ROTC in wake of the long awaited repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” we are urging the Student Health Center to provide affordable options for STI testing, we distribute funding to the University’s most popular programming likethe Student Union Board and the Kennedy Political Union and the list goes on and on.
As a freshman, I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience as a senator. Unlike any other position in the SG, being a senator is literally a blank slate. It is what you make of it — I have taken my passion for outreach, communication, and for changing the status quo and ran with it in the Undergraduate Senate. There is nothing more empowering than seeing a problem on campus and having the ability to take steps to fix it, and the Senate is the perfect place to get started.
As we repair our reputation and begin discussions on diversity, I ask all students of AU to join us, regardless of your sex, race or creed. I would especially encourage women to join our ranks, as we have seen this is an underrepresented group in our Student Government. Come change the status quo and tackle the problems facing our university. If anything, the Senate needs you.
In order to help make these changes, the Senate will soon begin our own outreach program to directly take part in a dialogue with you in the residence halls. The rest of my colleagues and I look forward to meeting you (with lots of free pizza) in your lounges. Tell us about your frustrations, put us on the spot, like Ashley Dejean and learn how to run for elections. Challenge us to become better, and I guarantee you, we will.
Joe Wisniewski is a freshman in the School of Public Affairs and a Campus-at-Large Senator for the Undergraduate Senate.
