By Annie Baldauf and Adam Garret
This letter is in response to recent articles pertaining to Student Government shortcomings and lack of efficiency.
There is no doubt that SG is not perfect. However, it is necessary to note that the SG executives and Senate are not the only part of SG. Recently, the other branches and bodies of SG have been ignored and unrecognized for their success and positive contributions to the AU community.
The current struggles facing SG, such as the constitutional referendum and the budget, do not holistically represent the initiates of all of its many offices. There are other important issues facing SG bodies. Yet, even as SG struggles to resolve these issues, many of its departments continue to provide valuable services to students on a daily basis.
As administrators of the Student Advocacy Center, a department within the president’s cabinet, it is frustrating to read articles that simply omit the many benefits SG brings to the AU community. Our office, for example, provides expert advising to students who have allegedly violated University policy. Many of our clients come to us in a time of crisis, as they face life-altering sanctions such as removal from University housing, suspension or dismissal from the University entirely. We provide each of our clients with a system of support and dedicate ourselves to ensuring that they are treated fairly throughout the disciplinary process.
Our office is staffed 40 hours a week by 10 volunteer advocates and one paid administrator. Each of us undergoes extensive refresher trainings to guarantee that we are providing our clients with the most accurate information. We aren’t involved with SG to engage in petty disputes or politics, nor do the commonly reported issues hold us back.
Do not stop reporting on the obstacles facing SG. In doing so, you hold us all to higher standards and demand that officials operate with transparency. But as you report, do not forget the many accomplishments we have achieved and the services we provide. Continue to inform the AU community of what their SG is doing, but do not sacrifice balance for the sake of conflict.
Annie Baldauf, CAS 2012
Director, Student Advocacy Center
Adam Garret, SOC 2015
Deputy Director, Student Advocacy Center
edpage@theeagleonline.com
