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| Our Perspective
... Senator challenge: Be productive, successful |
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With
a late start this year due to a delayed academic calendar, Student
Government Association (SGA) senate starts tonight with only five
open seats, according to the latest senate seat report.
Congratulations to those who were selected to
represent their constituency. Your job has only begun—being
elected was not the end of the hard work.
Those who voted for you will be looking to you
in the weeks to come for action on the senate floor. You will represent
their needs and wants—how will you accept this challenge?
Bringing your job to a halt after election voids
the trust of your constituents. Don’t stop where you are—keep
going, your constituents are counting on such action. |
Your role in student affairs
must be anything but passive.
It is your job to research the needs of your constituents. Arriving
late to a meeting of your constituents and announcing your next
plan of action is not researching the constituents’ needs.
Be sure to fulfill your duty as their representative to the senate
by not only asking but understanding their needs. Make sure your
constituents know who you are and instill them with the feeling
of openness and genuine concern.
All senators are encouraged to author or support legislation. Nothing
notable will be accomplished unless you take on an issue that may
positively affect the student body. Sitting on your hands will not
bring changes to the campus. Once again, your role is one of action.
Article V, Section 4, sub-section D, part 4 of the ASU-SGA Constitution
is clear about the role of SGA senators.
“[Senators will] recommend and pass legislation deemed necessary
and proper to carry on business and promote the general welfare
of the Student Body.”
Once students realize notable things can actually be accomplished
in senate, constituents will look toward you for more action. Continued
action starts with action.
Be available to your constituents. Don’t try to push your own
agenda unless it can benefit the student body—and even then
be careful.
Remember why you were elected and what kind of organization you
really joined: at the heart of things, like the student newspaper,
student government is a service.
You serve those whose voices must be heard but often are not. When
students and senators learn to effectively work together, increased
positive outcomes become more evident.
Plan for the future but remember the present. Past SGA administrations
focused on planning for the future and started ideas that are now
lost in the past.
This is your year. Strive to make changes that will leave the university
better than when you found it. |
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