Catching Lightning in a Bottle

Sometimes you can work and train and sweat and bleed for something so badly and never quite reach it. And sometimes that very same thing will fall into your lap with just a little bit of luck. That is where my thought process is right now in regards to the student body and their representative body. I look at the student leaders, not just in SGA, but around campus and look at how hard they work and the time and energy they put in, and how sometimes it yields little results. And then take an activist like myself who hits a few key strokes and suddenly people are mobilizing, debate is ensuing, and the campus is stirring. What is it about a blog that can get people so rilled up?

To me the phrase "catching lightning in a bottle" relates specifically to student government and their approach to getting the students at large to participate. I think interest and involvement is at its peak when times are at their worst. Take for instance the race based incidents that happened a few years ago. Students began organizing more efficiently, getting involved with student government and trying to resolve the issues. These are the times that SGA is needed most, and to their credit they have mostly been able to rise to the occasion and address student concerns. But it is the down times when students get too lazy, stop caring, and do not put in the necessary effort. There is no greater example of this that than the fall semester. This downturn lead to other missteps (within the meetings themselves) and eventually gave creation to an underground watchdog machine.

What I am trying to question is: does SGA need a massive incident to get itself going? Or is it capable of reaching the student body and efficiently dealing with issues without an incident? I honestly do not know the answer to that question. Through my observations, and limited research, I would say that the SGA is incapable of making a difference without some sort of catastrophe (a lightning bolt). I could be dead wrong, and I would encourage dissenters to challenge me. But I feel that student government needs a bolt of lightning to get its behind in gears.

Now can that body generate the lightning itself? That remains to be seen. I believe yes. I believe that if the E-board wanted to take action on something, or if a group or the entire senate rallied behind something, that the aftereffects would be tremendous. The question is; why haven't they yet? Surely it is not for lack of issues. I have compiled a decent list through my entries, and we could even take some advice from 'Thomas Paine' and develop a list of complaints to nail on someones door. But no one has yet. The first step in this process must be a realization within the organization of the power the students possess.

Students in the 1960's realized it and were able to challenge lots of things. The SGA needs a refresher course in ACTIVISM. Sending resolutions to the administration regarding issues is only a baby step (and one that the SGA has barely taken this year) having open conversations with administration leaders about topics and questioning why they do not favor students more. Drastic demonstrations are also a viable option. I would not be totally against nailing a list of grievances to the door of President Rochon, and sending copies to the ITHACAN and the Ithaca Times. WHY NOT?! If Provost Roundtree does not respect our VP of Academics then we should stand up and say something about it. They need to pay attention to us. What did Terry say to the senate last week? That Ithaca was in a better financial state than many universities because IC does not rely on endowment as much as tuition. THEY NEED US! Do not tell me that we are doing all we can, and that we do not have the power to initiate change. I call bull shit. We are the machine that runs this place, and if the students don't realize this then they only have themselves to blame. That's it for now. My vocal chords are strained from all the caps lock I was typing. Be well and be safe. 1