Looking Foward...

...To the Spring Semester. Being here for most of winter break, I have had time to dwell on the problems of the semester that past, and what is approaching in the next few months. There are many issues and events approaching in the coming months, and I will attempt to outline some of them in this entry. This is an extremely important time period for the SGA and I cannot stress this enough. With the majority of the senate being underclassmen, the group has an opportunity to set in motion great things to be had in the coming years. In meetings, the E-Board has raved about the work of the freshman senators, but this work must translate into tangible accomplishments to set up next year. It seems to be trying times for the current SGA, there has to be something to look forward to, especially if current members want to keep their seats, and not be beat out by challengers. Just like in actual politics, incumbents must prove to their constituents that they deserve their position, or otherwise lose the next election. Also, seniors must try to avoid complacency and lame-duck status, that could bring down the groups entire productivity.

So let's get into the crystal ball and look what is coming for this semester:

1) the BUDGET!

Maybe the single most important issue of the year. Everywhere you here about the global financial crisis, and the recession, and now that has reached the doorstep of the SGA. Like many organizations we are facing a budget crisis, and are going to run out of money very quickly this year. The SGA was caught completely off-guard about this. While the rest of the country was dealing with financial turmoil, the VP of Budget and Finance and the rest of the e-board did not take precautionary measures to scale back the budget, or allocate less. In fact the SGA gave away money to groups that they shouldn't have a few times in the fall, further hurting the budget situation. BUT, that VP is now on study abroad and the SGA is forced to break in a new VP of B & F. I ask the question, can the new VP plug the holes up before SGA capsizes? And by that I think the student population would like to know the plans of the newbie as he takes the reigns in an organization with a tremendous budget shortfall. What will be his actions when an established student group comes to ask for a reasonably budget request and they are denied? Will students begin revolting, because the SGA cannot fund them anymore? All the while some organization had the benefit of receiving funds they were not entitled too. Especially, since this new VP was partly responsible for that in the first place. All I know is that the new VP will be on a short leash with his decisions as the student body president has already expressed interest in taking further control in this department anyway. But its the most important issue to look forward to in spring '09.

2) Communication

Speaking of our newly elected VP's, we also have one for Communication. Looking forward SGA must wonder how will he fare in his new position. The group elected an relative outsider to the group (in contrast to the other candidates) and I must ask, will this work out? Will he express an outside opinion, will he fall in line with the rest of the E-board, or possibly become a 'maverick' and do his own thing? His messages are already beginning to be received by the students, but will it continue, or could he be effectively silenced by the E-board if he gets too far out of line? 20 something pairs of eyes will be watching these new 'outsiders' constantly (or at least for the first few meetings).

3) Senate Discussions

Will the senate finally discuss something of importance?!?!?! No more chalking. No more ITS. At the first meeting, a senator NEEDS to make a motion to use discussion time for a SERIOUS ISSUE! It does not matter if it is not the most pressing matter at hand that day. It only matters that the body does something of merit with the valuable time they have together. It does not matter the way they do it, only that it is an open and honest discussion of relative importance, and a creative brainstorming session about what to do next.

Here is a list of possible issues that can be discussed at any time, in any capacity.

A) Rising tuition- It is the responsibility of the student government to discuss rising tuition, and a lack of increase in the overall student experience. I am going to have pay more next year than this year, and yet my student funds were cut lower, and my college life has dramatically suffered. To the average student...THAT AIN'T RIGHT! It would nice if SGA could devote some precious time to that issue.

B)Shuttle System - No progress since President Aaron Bloom graduated. It was a majority priority of the Reconstruction Team, and not a word since they graduated on progress. Come on already. This needs a specific committee and it needs to happen rapidly. The term shuttle system is starting to become on par with other terms such as: 'Chinese Democracy', 'Detox', World Peace and Pipe Dream.

C) New Administration - No united communication with President Rochon yet huh? Well nice to see he cares about SGA. Peggy Williams at least gave a state of the college address once a semester, but I am sure he's busy with other things. Maybe he hasn't give SGA the light of day, because the group has not given him any reason to do so. I am sure if the SGA did something controversial, say write a strong declaration for lower tuition, it would certainly get his attention. Until that time the senate will be forced to have third party communication with him through the SGA President. The senate needs to know however. They need to know is Rochon would like them to do anything (besides the stellar work so far) or do MORE in the eyes of the current administration. Does Rochon have a plan for SGA? Is he going to come in one day we massive changes for us to adopt? What about the state of our strategic plan (whatever that is) compared to IC's strat plan?

E) Support for Faculty and Staff - There were a series of email in the Ithacan last semester about a faculty being denied tenure and possibly for controversial reasons. Now I am not saying that we should have started a protest or anything like that. But would it have killed us to set aside some time for something like this. Instead of messing around, or getting ancy to leave early we should consider such issues, and whether the SGA has a formal opinion on any of it.

Any minuscule issue can be transformed into a serious discussion. A question about whether Public Safety unfairly targets students, especially minorities could be an all night affair, but we refuse to acknowledge it. Time for a change people. And the time comes directly after MLK Jr. Day. I am just saying... Be well and be safe. 1